Court Opinion

ID: 9763238
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 02:39:33.058871+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:40.108709
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing
We have considered all assignments of error raised by the Association in its motion for rehearing, and the same are overruled. We discuss in this opinion only those contentions that relate to the equitable considerations supporting the trial court’s denial of a mandatory injunction.
The Association contends that we erred in concluding that the trial court properly exercised its discretion in balancing the equities between the parties because it made no express findings of fact and conclusions of law on that matter. The Association also contends that there are no pleadings or evidence which would support the trial court’s denial of a mandatory injunction on the basis of a balancing of the equities.
The record reflects that the appellee, in his first amended answer, expressly asserted that the subdivision restrictions did not prohibit the alteration work in question. Thus, the trial court was obligated to interpret and apply the restrictions to the particular circumstances, and also to determine what relief, if any, it should give to the Association in view of the appellee’s failure to secure the Architectural Control Committee’s prior approval of the work. In making that determination, the trial court had the authority, albeit the duty, to balance the rights and equities between the parties, and upon those considerations, to decide whether a mandatory injunction should be ordered. See, Sewage Co. v. Bishop, 30 S.W.2d 412 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1930, writ ref’d); General Tire & Rubber Co. v. Texas Pacific Coal & O. Co., 102 S.W.2d 1086 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1937, writ ref’d). The trial court determined, upon adequate pleadings and evidence, that a mandatory injunction should not issue, and an abuse of its discretion has not been demonstrated.
The motion for rehearing is overruled.