Court Opinion

ID: 2730955
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-08 22:10:13.772601+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:26:59.121708
License: Public Domain

Pursuant to Ind.Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before
any court except for the purpose of
establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:                             ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES:

JEFFRY G. PRICE                                     WILLIAM F. BERKSHIRE
Peru, Indiana                                       Berkshire Law Firm, P.C.

                                                                              FILED
                                                    Peru, Indiana

                                                                           Feb 03 2012, 9:09 am
                               IN THE
                     COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA                                   CLERK
                                                                                 of the supreme court,
                                                                                 court of appeals and
                                                                                        tax court

JOHN D. JENKINS REVOCABLE LIVING                    )
TRUST, JOHN D. JENKINS, TRUSTEE,                    )
                                                    )
       Appellant-Plaintiff,                         )
                                                    )
               vs.                                  )       No. 52A02-1106-PL-00540
                                                    )
PERU UTILITY SERVICE BOARD, CITY                    )
OF PERU and PERU COMMON COUNCIL,                    )
                                                    )
       Appellees-Defendants.                        )

                       APPEAL FROM THE MIAMI SUPERIOR COURT
                            The Honorable J. David Grund, Judge
                              Cause No. 52D01-0512-PL-526

                                         February 3, 2012

                 MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION

ROBB, Chief Judge
                                  Case Summary and Issues

       The John D. Jenkins Revocable Living Trust (“the RLT”) contains farmland which it

rents to a farmer. Adjacent to the RLT’s farmland at issue is a housing development, Hilltop

Farms L.P. and Hilltop Farms Phase Two (collectively, “Hilltop”). The RLT agreed to allow

Hilltop to construct a sewer line on the RLT’s farmland. The RLT then granted Hilltop a

sanitary sewer line easement, which Hilltop then assigned to the City of Peru Utilities Service

Board (“Peru Utilities”). Subsequently the RLT brought suit against Peru Utilities, the City

of Peru, and Peru Common Council (collectively, “Defendants”): 1) alleging a taking and

seeking damages for inverse condemnation; and 2) seeking a declaratory judgment as to the

rights and obligations of the RLT and Defendants with regard to payment of fees and

annexation to the City of Peru by anyone tapping into the sewer line. Following a bench trial,

the trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law, concluded that a taking did not

occur, and declined to enter a declaratory judgment order. On appeal the RLT raises three

issues, which we restate as two: whether the trial court erred in finding that no taking

occurred, and whether the trial court erred in refusing to enter a declaratory judgment order.

We conclude that the trial court did not err, and we affirm.

                                Facts and Procedural History

       In early 2003, Hilltop had problems with its septic system. In February 2003, Bruce

Carson, then an employee of Hilltop, spoke with a representative of Peru Utilities regarding

plans to construct a sanitary sewer for Hilltop’s use and connect it to the Peru municipal

sewer system. Representatives of Hilltop negotiated with the RLT’s agent and both agreed to

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the construction of a sewer line on the real property owned by the RLT. In June 2003, the

RLT and Hilltop signed an agreement to grant an easement to that effect. See Appellant’s

Appendix at 61-63 (stating the easement would “run across the southern boundary of the

property . . . and then north across the property owned by the [RLT]”). Throughout 2003,

Carson consulted an engineer and finalized plans to construct the sewer line. Both Carson

and the RLT understood that Hilltop would construct the sewer line and turn over the

impending easement to Peru Utilities; accordingly, Peru Utilities was heavily involved in the

planning process. Construction of the sewer line began in late 2003 and was completed by

January 2004.

       In April 2004, the RLT granted to Hilltop the easement and recorded the same. Id. at

14. In addition to an interest in using and maintaining a sewer line, the easement provides

that, to the extent the RLT connected to the sewer line, the RLT agrees to pay its own tap

fees and expenses associated with that connection. Id. at 16; see id. at 62 (stating the same

term in the June 2003 agreement to grant an easement). The easement was established as a

covenant running with the land, binding upon grantees and assignees.

       In May 2004, Hilltop signed a “DEED OF DEDICATION,” in which it dedicated to

Peru Utilities “all platted easements for public utilities, physical / mechanical materials

relating to the distribution of, operation of and maintenance of a domestic sanitary

wastewater infrastructure extension/improvements serving Hilltop L.P. and Hilltop Farms

Phases I and II . . . .” Id. at 21. In September 2004, Hilltop assigned the easement to Peru

Utilities, which accepted and recorded the assignment. Id. at 18-20.

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       In December 2005, the RLT filed suit against Defendants seeking damages for inverse

condemnation and a declaratory judgment regarding “all rights and liabilities of the parties

about or concerning [the] sewer line and its operation.” Id. at 252. Following a bench trial,

the trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law, concluded that a taking did not

occur, and declined to enter a declaratory judgment order. The RLT now appeals.

Additional facts will be supplied as appropriate.

                                  Discussion and Decision

                                   I. Standard of Review

       Our standard of reviewing a trial court’s findings and conclusions requested by a party

pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 52(A) is well-settled:

           First, we determine whether the evidence supports the findings and second,
       whether the findings support the judgment. In deference to the trial court’s
       proximity to the issues, we disturb the judgment only where there is no
       evidence supporting the findings or the findings fail to support the judgment.
       We do not reweigh the evidence, but consider only the evidence favorable to
       the trial court’s judgment. Challengers must establish that the trial court’s
       findings are clearly erroneous. Findings are clearly erroneous when a review
       of the record leaves us firmly convinced a mistake has been made. However,
       while we defer substantially to findings of fact, we do not do so to conclusions
       of law. Additionally, a judgment is clearly erroneous under Indiana Trial Rule
       52 if it relies on an incorrect legal standard. We evaluate questions of law de
       novo and owe no deference to a trial court’s determination of such questions.
           When requested, a trial court is required to make complete special findings
       sufficient to disclose a valid basis under the issues for the legal result reached
       in the judgment. The purpose of such findings and conclusions is to provide
       the parties and reviewing courts with the theory upon which the case was
       decided.

Balicki v. Balicki, 837 N.E.2d 532, 536 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (internal quotation and citations

omitted), trans. denied.

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                                 II. Inverse Condemnation

       Inverse condemnation is a statutory process for individuals’ compensation for the loss

of property interests which were taken for public purposes without the use of eminent domain

procedures. Ctr. Townhouse Corp. v. City of Mishawaka, 882 N.E.2d 762, 770 (Ind. Ct.

App. 2008), trans. denied; Ind. Code § 32-24-1-16. An inverse condemnation proceeding is

comprised of two stages. Mendenhall v. City of Indianapolis, 717 N.E.2d 1218, 1227 (Ind.

Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied. First, the landowner must show that he has an interest in land

which has been taken for a public use and was not appropriated pursuant to eminent domain

laws. Id. At this stage the trial court is tasked with determining whether a compensable

taking occurred. If the trial court finds that a compensable taking occurred, then the matter

proceeds to a second stage, in which the trial court appoints appraisers and damages are

assessed. Id.

       The RLT argues the trial court erred in concluding that a compensable taking has not

occurred. More specifically, the RLT contends the trial court failed to enter as findings that

which the RLT alleges to be undisputed facts. The RLT further contends that, in any event,

the trial court’s findings lead to the legal conclusion that a compensable taking occurred.

This is especially so, argues the RLT, when considering the trial court’s findings in

combination with the allegedly erroneously omitted findings.

       We begin our analysis by recounting what constitutes a compensable taking for

purposes of inverse condemnation actions. Acquiring possession of “some physical part of

the real estate” constitutes a taking. Taylor-Chalmers, Inc. v. Bd. of Comm’rs of LaPorte

                                              5
Cnty., 474 N.E.2d 531, 532 (Ind. Ct. App. 1985) (citation omitted). In addition, a taking can

occur where a substantial interference with the property destroys or impairs one’s free use,

enjoyment, or interest in the property. Ctr. Townhouse Corp., 882 N.E.2d at 770. The

question of whether a particular interference with property interests is substantial is a

question of fact for the fact-finder. Id. A taking also includes the “diminution in value” of a

landowner’s property. Tornatta Investments, LLC v. Indiana Dep’t of Transp., 879 N.E.2d

660, 664 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008), trans. denied. A primary consideration in determining

whether a taking has occurred is whether the impact of government action has “interfered

with distinctive investment-backed expectations.” Sagarin v. City of Bloomington, 932

N.E.2d 739, 744 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010) (citations omitted), trans. denied, cert. denied, 132 S.

Ct. 117 (2011).

       We conclude the trial court did not err in determining there was no taking. The RLT

has not shown that there has been a diminution in value of its property. Nor has the RLT

shown that the sewer line has interfered with distinctive investment-backed expectations.

Although the RLT seems to have suggested at the trial court that the RLT might have

considered developing its farmland into residential lots for profit, that plan was only vaguely

stated and, even though at least two houses were sold by the time of trial, the RLT does not

explicitly contend that the sewer line interferes with that plan. Although a small portion of

the property is now not usable for farming, the RLT receives the same rent from the farmer to

whom it rents the land. As a result, no part of the record explicitly demonstrates that the

presence of the sewer line on the RLT’s property has diminished the land’s economic value

                                              6
to the RLT to date or is reasonably anticipated to do so in the future. Prior to construction of

the sewer line, the RLT’s free use, enjoyment, and interest in the property revolved around

rental income from a farmer. This rental income has remained the same, and the evidence

supports the finding and conclusion that there has not been a substantial interference that

would constitute a taking.

       While the evidence indicates that some physical part of the real property is not

presently usable for farming because of the way that the sewer line was constructed, that

portion of real property was rendered useless before Defendants obtained a legal interest in

the property. Therefore, it was not “taken.” Construction of the sewer line – which was paid

for and principally arranged by Hilltop, in consultation with Defendants – began in late 2003

and was completed by January 2004. As of January 2004, the RLT had sole physical

possession of the completed sewer line. At that point Defendants had no legal interest in the

sewer line and cannot be liable to the RLT for any unauthorized “taking” resulting from the

construction of the sewer line.

       A few months later, in April 2004, the RLT granted an easement to Hilltop with an

understanding that Hilltop would soon dedicate and assign the easement to Defendants. In

May 2004, Hilltop in fact did dedicate the easement to Defendants, and in September 2004,

Hilltop assigned the easement to Defendants. No part of the trial court’s findings of fact, or

other facts which the RLT contends were erroneously omitted, indicate that Defendants

engaged in any activity that would constitute a taking after it took legal possession of the

                                               7
easement in May or September 2004. Defendants’ involvement in planning and facilitating

the construction of the sewer line, as detailed in the record, does not affect this determination.

       Therefore, because Defendants did not “take” the RLT’s real property before it

developed a legal interest, nor after it was dedicated and assigned a legal interest, Defendants

did not “take” the RLT’s property at all.

       We also opine on several issues which the RLT contends support its argument that a

taking occurred. First, the RLT contends the sewer line was constructed through the middle

of the farmland and not along the border, as was allegedly agreed upon. Second, the sewer

line was constructed in part too shallow per the agreement and a permit granted by the

Indiana Department of Environmental Management, in part above ground, and in part in a

way that leads to problematic pooling of surface water, all of which hamper farming. This is

especially problematic, the RLT argues, because it was allegedly agreed that farming could

continue virtually without disruption. To the extent these are genuine problems for the RLT

that were presented at trial, they are problems which arose before Defendants acquired a legal

interest in the property.

       Third, the RLT argues that when determining whether a taking occurred, it is

irrelevant that the RLT continues to receive the same amount of rental income from the

farmer as before construction of the sewer line. Rather, the RLT argues, the present inability

for the farmer to farm a small portion of the land constitutes a taking. We need not opine on

this argument by the RLT because the “taking” of a small portion of property to which the

                                                8
RLT refers occurred before Defendants acquired a legal (or even trespassory) interest in the

property.

       The trial court did not err in concluding that Defendants did not take the real property

of the RLT.

                                   III. Declaratory Judgment

       In the RLT’s appellate statement of the issues, it challenges the trial court’s refusal to

enter a declaratory judgment: “Has the court failed to make findings of fact and conclusions

as to [the RLT]’[s] request for declaratory judgment?” Appellant’s Brief at 1. A cursory

review of the trial court order leads to a quick response – no, the trial court did not fail to

make findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the RLT’s request for declaratory

judgment. The trial court’s findings and conclusions thereon span pages four through six of

the trial court order. See Appellant’s App. at 233-35.

       To the extent the RLT argues the trial court erred in refusing to enter a declaratory

judgment regarding payment of fees and annexation to the City of Peru by anyone tapping

into the sewer line, as alleged in its complaint, the RLT fails to articulate a cogent argument

or citations to legal authorities or portions of the record in support of such an argument.

Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a), regarding arrangement and contents of the argument section of

an appellant’s brief, requires “the contentions of the appellant on the issues presented[] [be]

supported by cogent reasoning. Each contention must be supported by citations to the

authorities, statutes, and the Appendix . . . relied on . . . .”

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       As noted, the RLT fails to even articulate this precise challenge in its statement of the

issues. In the argument section of its appellant’s brief, it does not expressly address this

challenge at all. In its reply appellate brief, the RLT expands this argument to about one

page of text, but even this portion fails to clearly explain its argument or include cogent

reasoning upon which we may conclude that the trial court erred.

       Because a quick glance at the trial court order leads us to deny the RLT’s appellate

challenge as articulated, and because the RLT fails to cogently explain its appellate argument

regarding a more sophisticated challenge, if any, we conclude the trial court did not err in

refusing to enter a declaratory judgment.

                                         Conclusion

       The trial court did not err in finding that no taking occurred or in refusing to enter a

declaratory judgment order. Therefore we affirm.

       Affirmed.

NAJAM, J., and VAIDIK, J., concur.

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