Court Opinion

ID: 1057811
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 18:27:13.973822+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:01:51.305381
License: Public Domain

PRESENT: All the Justices

LYNNHAVEN DUNES CONDOMINIUM
ASSOCIATION
                                            OPINION BY
 v.   Record No. 120086               JUSTICE CLEO E. POWELL
                                         November 1, 2012
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH

       FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
                    A. Bonwill Shockley, Judge

      In this appeal, we consider whether an ordinance

authorizing the acquisition of an easement by condemnation also

confers the authority to acquire the easement by an action to

quiet title.   We further consider whether the evidence in this

case was sufficient to support the circuit court’s ruling that

the City of Virginia Beach (the “City”) proved an implied

dedication of the disputed easements and whether the circuit

court erred in ruling that Lynnhaven Dunes Condominium

Association (“Lynnhaven”) was not entitled to compensation for

its loss of riparian rights.

                            I. Background

      The present case concerns the beach along the Chesapeake

Bay from First Landing State Park to the Lesner Bridge, referred

to as “Cape Henry Beach.”   The facts regarding the state of Cape

Henry Beach and the City’s plan to replenish it are

substantially the same as those in the companion case of 3232

Page Avenue Condominium Unit Owners Ass’n v. City of Virginia
Beach, 284 Va. 639, 735 S.E.2d 672 (2012) (this day decided),

therefore, we will only address those facts unique to this case.

     On February 25, 2009, the City filed a “Petition for

Condemnation to Confirm Public Easements,” seeking to acquire

title to the easements from Lynnhaven.   In the petition, the

City sought to take or confirm a “perpetual recreational

easement and a shore protection/construction easement”

(collectively, the “Easements”).

     In its “Answer, Grounds of Defense and Objections to

Jurisdiction,” Lynnhaven argued that the City did not have legal

authority to condemn the property, as the City has not complied

with the statutorily required procedures for a condemnation

proceeding.   In an order dated July 24, 2009, the circuit court

overruled Lynnhaven’s objections and ruled that it would rule on

the issue of ownership of the Easements “at or immediately after

the hearing to determine just compensation.”

     Recognizing that the issue of ownership of the Easements

could render the issue of just compensation moot, the parties

mutually agreed to hold the ownership trial prior to the just

compensation trial.   Additionally, prior to trial Lynnhaven

raised the issue of compensation for its riparian rights.

According to Lynnhaven, the beach replenishment project created

an artificial strip of land owned by the Commonwealth that cuts

off Lynnhaven’s connection to the Chesapeake Bay.   Thus,

                                   2
Lynnhaven argued that, regardless of who actually owned the

Easements, the City would still be required to compensate

Lynnhaven for the loss of its riparian rights.

     During the ownership trial, the circuit court heard

evidence that, in a plat recorded in 1926 (the “1926 plat”),

Cape Henry Beach was depicted as “Ocean Avenue.”   In 1954,

however, the Board of Supervisors abandoned Ocean Avenue.     In

1999 another plat was recorded (the “1999 plat”) resubdividing

certain lots of the 1926 plat.   The 1999 plat did not contain

any reference to Ocean Avenue and made no mention of any public

interest in Cape Henry Beach.

     The City also presented evidence that the public used the

entirety of Cape Henry Beach extensively since at least the late

1940’s.   Further evidence was presented that the City regulated

Cape Henry Beach as early as 1938 and that the City’s police

force patrolled the entirety of Cape Henry Beach around the

clock since at least 1976.   Similarly, evidence was presented

that, from at least 1980, the City maintained Cape Henry Beach.

Such maintenance included daily garbage removal from trash

barrels provided by the City, raking the beach to remove litter,

grading the beach, annually planting new beach grass and

removing dead sea life.

     After hearing all of the evidence, the circuit court

granted the City’s petition, ruling that

                                 3
     The City has demonstrated by a preponderance of
     the evidence, and to the extent necessary by
     clear and convincing evidence and/or by
     unequivocal evidence, that it acquired by implied
     dedication as a result of the recordation of a
     1926 plat . . . a recreational easement and a
     maintenance easement in the subject property
     . . . ;

     In addition to the 1926 plat, the circuit court relied upon

the City’s continued “policing, cleaning, draining, and public

use over the years” as evidence of the City’s acceptance of the

implied dedication.    The circuit court further determined that

Lynnhaven was not entitled to compensation for the loss of its

riparian rights because Lynnhaven’s connection to the Chesapeake

Bay was cut off as a result of improvements to navigation.

     Lynnhaven appeals.

                            II. Analysis

     On appeal, Lynnhaven argues that the City failed to follow

the statutory requirements necessary to exercise its power of

eminent domain.   Lynnhaven also takes issue with the circuit

court’s determination that the City had acquired the Easements

through implied dedication and the circuit court’s determination

that Lynnhaven was not entitled to compensation for the loss of

its riparian rights.

                           A. Jurisdiction

     Lynnhaven argues that, because the City did not pass an

ordinance authorizing the acquisition of the property by

                                  4
quieting title, the City could not bring an action to quiet

title in conjunction with a condemnation proceeding.     Lynnhaven

relies heavily on Code § 15.2-1903(B) 1, which requires the City

to adopt a resolution or pass an ordinance directing acquisition

of the property prior to the initiation of condemnation

proceedings.    Therefore, according to Lynnhaven, the

condemnation proceeding was necessarily void and the circuit

court did not have jurisdiction to hear this case. 2

     “[A]n act of the legislature delegating to a municipality

the power of eminent domain must be strictly construed in favor

of the landowner.”    Ruddock v. City of Richmond, 165 Va. 552,

562, 178 S.E. 44, 47 (1935).    “The power can only be exercised

for the purpose, to the extent, and in the manner provided by

     1
         Code § 15.2-1903(B) states:

     Prior to initiating condemnation proceedings, the
     governing body shall, after a public hearing,
     adopt a resolution or ordinance approving the
     proposed public use and directing the acquisition
     of property for the public use by condemnation or
     other means. The resolution or ordinance shall
     state the use to which the property shall be put
     and the necessity therefor. Furthermore, other
     political subdivisions of the Commonwealth shall
     also be required to hold a public hearing prior
     to initiating condemnation proceedings.
     2
       In addition to the ordinance argument, Lynnhaven also
argues that the City may not condemn property rights that it
also claims to own. As we have already addressed this issue in
3232 Page Avenue, 284 Va. at ___, ___ S.E.2d at ___, we need not
address the issue again here.

                                  5
law.”    Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Auth. v. Denton, 198 Va.
171, 178, 93 S.E.2d 288, 293 (1956).

        The ordinance at issue in the present case was passed by

the Virginia Beach City Council on December 9, 2008.       In the

ordinance, the City Council recognized that

        there are unresolved issues regarding the title
        to the sandy beaches along Cape Henry Beach, the
        rights of the public to recreate and the rights
        of the City to maintain, monitor and exert
        control over these beaches;

        The City Council went on to state that it

        believes that the City has rights to protect the
        Cape Henry beaches and preserve them for public
        recreation, based upon a long history of both
        public use and the City's maintenance, monitoring
        and control; however, upon information and
        belief, private property owners contend there is
        no public right to recreate or City right to
        maintain the beaches;

        Accordingly, the ordinance authorized:

        the acquisition by purchase or condemnation,
        pursuant to Sections 15.2-1901, et seq., and
        Title 25.1 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as
        amended, of public beach easements (the
        "Easements") for public recreation and shore
        protection as stated above and for other related
        public purposes for the preservation of the
        safety, health, peace, good order, comfort,
        convenience, and for the welfare of the people in
        the City of Virginia Beach, across the areas of
        the Cape Henry beaches, to the extent that public
        easements or property ownership are not already
        confirmed . . . .

        To facilitate the acquisition of the required easements,

the ordinance specifically authorized the City Manager:

                                   6
     to make or cause to be made on behalf of the City
     of Virginia Beach . . . a reasonable offer to the
     owners or persons having an interest in the
     property that will be affected by said Easements.
     If refused, the City Attorney is hereby
     authorized to institute proceedings to condemn
     said Easements.

     There are three fatal flaws in Lynnhaven’s argument.   The

first flaw is that, in relying on Code § 15.2-1903(B), Lynnhaven

conflates an action to quiet title with a condemnation

proceeding.   The plain language of Code § 15.2-1903(B)

establishes that it only applies to condemnation proceedings;

the statute is silent with regard to actions to quiet title.

Thus, Code § 15.2-1903(B) has no applicability to a locality’s

action to quiet title.

     The second flaw inherent in Lynnhaven’s argument is that,

while the ordinance does not specifically authorize an action to

quiet title, Virginia Beach Ordinance § 2-169 clearly authorizes

the City Attorney

     to commence and prosecute all actions and suits
     to be brought by the city that he deems necessary
     or proper to protect the interests of the city
     before any tribunal in the city or state, whether
     in law or in equity.

     The ordinance authorizing condemnation makes it clear that

the City believes it has an interest in the Easements by implied

dedication “based upon a long history of both public use and the

City’s maintenance, monitoring and control.”   Therefore, as

Virginia Beach Ordinance § 2-169 authorizes the City Attorney to

                                 7
protect the City’s interests, and the City believes it has an

interest in Cape Henry Beach, an action to quiet title is

necessarily authorized.

     The third flaw is that, contrary to Lynnhaven’s argument,

the action brought by the City was, in fact, a condemnation

proceeding.   As we explain in 3232 Page Avenue, 284 Va. at ___,

___ S.E.2d at ___, determining the ownership of the property

subject to condemnation is necessarily part of the condemnation

proceeding.   See Code §§ 25.1-222 and -241.   Thus, because the

ordinance at issue in this case specifically authorized a

condemnation proceeding, which is the type of action brought by

the City, the condemnation proceeding is not void and the

circuit court had jurisdiction to hear the case.

                       B. Implied Dedication

     Lynnhaven next argues that the circuit court erred in

finding that the City had acquired ownership of the Easements by

implied dedication.   Lynnhaven contends that the City’s

acceptance of the 1999 plat, which contained no mention of any

public interest in the property, demonstrates a second

abandonment of the Easements on the part of the City.    Lynnhaven

goes on to argue that, notwithstanding the 1954 abandonment and

the 1999 plat, the original location of Ocean Avenue has moved

due to the natural accretion of the beach and therefore any

easements created by the presence of Ocean Avenue in the 1926

                                 8
plat are not in the same location as the Easements sought by the

City.

        In the present case, the circuit court relied entirely on

the existence of the 1926 plat as evidence of an implied

dedication of the Easements.    However, it is readily apparent

that the circuit court did not consider the 1954 abandonment of

Ocean Avenue in its ruling.    This Court has previously

recognized

        When a highway or street is discontinued or
        abandoned the easement therein for public use is
        extinguished, and the absolute title and right to
        exclusive possession thereto is presumed to be in
        the abutting landowners in the absence of
        evidence to the contrary.

Heller v. Woodley, 202 Va. 994, 998, 121 S.E.2d 527, 531 (1961)

(emphasis added).

        Thus, in light of the City’s 1954 abandonment of Ocean

Avenue, we hold that the circuit court erred in ruling that the

City acquired the Easements as a result of the recordation of

the 1926 plat.    This Court has long recognized, however, that

“[w]e do not hesitate, in a proper case, where the correct

conclusion has been reached but the wrong reason given, to

sustain the result and assign the right ground.”     Eason v.

Eason, 204 Va. 347, 352, 131 S.E.2d 280, 283 (1963) (citations

omitted).    We have limited application of the “right for the

wrong reason” doctrine to those cases where the right reason is

                                   9
supported by the record, no further development of the facts is

necessary to support it and the appellant was “on notice in the

trial court that he might be required to present evidence to

rebut it.”   Rives v. Commonwealth, 284 Va. 1, 2-3, 726 S.E.2d
248, 250 (2012).

     In the present case, there is ample evidence demonstrating

that the public has had open access to the entirety of Cape

Henry Beach since at least 1954, the City has patrolled and

maintained the Easements for over thirty years, and Lynnhaven

has never objected to the City’s exercise of dominion and

control over the Easements.   Thus, we find that, notwithstanding

the 1999 plat, there is sufficient evidence proving that there

was an implied dedication and acceptance of the Easements.

     Turning to the 1999 plat, we note that Code § 15.2-2265

specifically negates Lynnhaven’s argument.   The version of Code

§ 15.2-2265 in effect in 1999 states, in relevant part:

     When the authorized officials of a locality
     within which land is located, approve in
     accordance with the subdivision ordinances of the
     locality a plat or replat of land therein, then
     upon the recording of the plat or replat in the
     circuit court clerk's office, all rights-of-way,
     easements or other interest of the locality in
     the land included on the plat or replat, except
     as shown thereon, shall be terminated and
     extinguished, except that an interest acquired by
     the locality by condemnation, by purchase for
     valuable consideration and evidenced by a
     separate instrument of record, or streets, alleys
     or easements for public passage subject to the

                                10
     provisions of § 15.2-2271 or § 15.2-2272 shall
     not be affected thereby.

(Emphasis added.) 3

     Thus, under Code § 15.2-2265, an easement for public

passage may only be terminated or extinguished if the

requirements of Code § 15.2-2271 or -2272 are met.    Both

sections require either a separate writing or the passage of an

ordinance before an easement for public passage may be

terminated or extinguished.   As Lynnhaven has presented no

evidence of a separate writing or passage of an ordinance

terminating or extinguishing the Easements, which were for

public passage, the recordation of the 1999 plat has no effect

on the existence of the Easements. 4

                        C. Riparian Rights

     Lynnhaven argues that the circuit court erred in ruling

that, because Lynnhaven’s riparian rights were destroyed to

improve navigation, such a loss was non-compensable.    Lynnhaven

concedes that dredging Lynnhaven Inlet was necessary to improve

navigation, but contends that the placement of sand on Cape

Henry Beach was not.   Lynnhaven further notes that the City’s

     3
       This language is identical to the language appearing in
the corresponding portion of Code § 15.2-2265 currently in
effect.
     4
       It is further worth noting that there was no indication on
the 1999 plat that any easements or property rights had been
vacated.

                                11
petition for condemnation only referenced sand replenishment/re-

nourishment of the beach and makes no reference to navigation.

        Unlike its other assignments of error, Lynnhaven’s riparian

rights argument arises, not from the circuit court’s decision to

grant the Easements, but from the City’s particular use of the

maintenance easement.     Specifically, Lynnhaven objects to the

fact that, by replenishing the beach, the City’s actions have

allowed the Commonwealth to create an artificial strip of land

that has severed Lynnhaven’s connection to the Chesapeake Bay.

        One of the benefits that accrues to the owner of riparian

land is the “ ‘right to accretions or alluvium.’ ”      Scott v.

Burwell's Bay Improvement Ass'n, 281 Va. 704, 710, 708 S.E.2d
858, 862 (2011) (quoting Taylor v. Commonwealth, 102 Va. 759,

773, 47 S.E. 875, 880-81 (1904)).      This Court has recognized

that:

        “This riparian right is property, and is
        valuable; and though it must be enjoyed in due
        subjection to the rights of the public, it cannot
        be arbitrarily or capriciously destroyed or
        impaired. It is a right of which, when once
        vested, the owner can only be deprived in
        accordance with established law, and, if
        necessary, that it be taken for the public good
        upon due compensation.”

Taylor, 102 Va. at 771, 47 S.E. at 880 (quoting Yates v.

Milwaukee, 77 U.S. 497, 504 (1871)).

        Although the owner of the riparian rights “automatically

takes title to dry land added to his property by accretion. . .

                                  12
formerly submerged land that has become dry land by avulsion

continues to belong to the owner of the seabed (usually the

State).”   Stop the Beach Renourishment, Inc. v. Florida Dep't of

Envtl. Prot., 130 S. Ct. 2592, 2598 (2010).

     We have recognized that a riparian owner’s property rights

are “subordinate to the improvement of navigation.    In other

words where there is no actual taking of his property . . . the

owner is not allowed compensation for his consequential damage.”

Oliver v. Richmond, 165 Va. 538, 549, 178 S.E. 48, 53 (1935).

In Oliver, a portion of the James River was straightened for the

purpose of improving navigation.     Landowners with property along

the original course of the river claimed that their riparian

rights were damaged “to the extent that they will not receive

the continual flow of the water within the natural bed of the

river in the normal volume.”   Id. at 540, 178 S.E. at 48.    This

Court ruled against the landowners, holding:

     [The landowners] had no property right in the
     flow of the water by their lands in so far as the
     government's right to improve navigation is
     concerned and therefore they are entitled to no
     compensation if the water is diverted and access
     to it cut off by the improvement.

Id. at 550, 178 S.E. at 53.

     We note, however, that there is a significant difference

between the facts of Oliver and the present case.    In Oliver,

the navigational improvement directly affected the flow of the

                                13
river, resulting in a direct loss of riparian rights.    In the

present case, the navigational improvement had no effect on the

flow of the Chesapeake Bay; rather it improved navigation in

Lynnhaven Inlet and provided the sand used to replenish the

beach.   It is the placement of this sand that caused the alleged

loss of riparian rights. 5   Thus it is clear that Oliver is not

particularly apposite to the present case.

     In light of the fact that there are no Virginia cases that

address this particular issue, we look to the jurisprudence of

other states.    We are particularly persuaded by the logic of the

Supreme Court of Massachusetts in Michaelson v. Silver Beach

Improvement Ass’n, 173 N.E.2d 273 (Mass. 1961).    We recognize

that, although Michaelson is procedurally different from the

present case, certain relevant facts are markedly similar.     In

Michaelson, a beach was created at the base of a seawall as a

result of dredging a harbor by the public works department of

Massachusetts.    Id. at 274.   The owners of the properties

adjoining the seawall brought an action to enjoin the public’s

use of the beach adjoining their property.    In determining

whether the property owners were entitled to an injunction, the

Supreme Court of Massachusetts examined what effect the creation

     5
       Indeed, it is further worth noting that the two-prong test
announced in Oliver requires (1) the diversion of water and (2)
access to the water be cut off by the navigational improvement
itself. Oliver, 165 Va. at 550, 178 S.E. at 53.

                                  14
of the beach had upon the littoral 6 rights of the owners.   The

Supreme Court of Massachusetts explained that, assuming the

dredging project was for navigational purposes:

     It does not follow . . . that the Commonwealth in
     carrying out such a project may cast the material
     dredged along the shore line of littoral
     proprietors and thereby cut off their exclusive
     access to the sea. The littoral or riparian
     nature of property is often a substantial, if not
     the greatest, element of its value. This is true
     whether the owner uses his access to the sea for
     navigation, fishing, bathing, or the view.

Id. at 277.

     The Supreme Court of Massachusetts noted that, under

Massachusetts law, the only recognized reasons that the

     6
        Throughout their arguments, both parties refer to the
rights at issue in this case as “riparian” rights. The term
“riparian” is usually defined as “[o]f, relating to, or located
on the bank of a river or stream (or occasionally another body
of water, such as a lake).” Black's Law Dictionary 1441 (9th
ed. 2009); see also Scott v. Burwell's Bay Improvement Ass'n,
281 Va. 704, 710, 708 S.E.2d 858, 861 (2011) (“The term
‘riparian rights’ refers to a specific set of five benefits that
accrue to the owner of land adjacent to a navigable river”).
The more proper term for the rights at issue in this case is
“littoral,” which is defined as “[o]f or relating to the coast
or shore of an ocean, sea, or lake.” Black’s Law Dictionary, at
1018.
      The General Assembly’s use of the term “riparian”
throughout the Code, however, is inconsistent with the strict
definition of the term. See, e.g., Code § 28.2-600 (dealing
with the assignment of oyster planting grounds within the
“riparian waters” belonging to “[a]ny owner of land bordering on
a body of water . . .”). Accordingly, we recognize that, in
Virginia the term “riparian” is defined as: of, relating to, or
abutting any body of water. See generally Stop the Beach
Renourishment, Inc. v. Fla. Dep’t of Envtl. Prot., 130 S. Ct.
2592, 2598 fn. 1 (2010) (“Many cases and statutes use ‘riparian’
to mean abutting any body of water”).

                                15
Commonwealth could cut off a property owner’s littoral rights

without compensation is “to regulate and improve navigation and

the fisheries.” 7   Id.     “Whether any other powers may exist need

not be decided here; but no power to build beaches for bathing

purposes without compensating the littoral owners seems to have

been recognized.”     Id.    Thus, the Supreme Court of Massachusetts

held “if the Commonwealth desires to create land in connection

with a project to improve navigation, there must be a connection

between the two projects and this connection must be substantial

and reasonable.     Otherwise, there would be no limit to the

Commonwealth’s power.”       Id. (emphasis added).

     To harmonize the public and the private
     interests, it is necessary to demand a
     substantial relation between the project and the
     public powers over navigation . . . if the
     Commonwealth is to create land, have title, and
     leave the littoral owners without a remedy in
     damages. The proper test is that the related
     project is immune from private rights only when
     it is so related to a project under the
     acknowledged public powers in the navigable
     waters (such as over navigation and the
     fisheries) that enjoyment of the latter project
     would be substantially impaired without the
     creation of the former.

Id. at 277.

     As in Massachusetts, Virginia has not recognized a right to

build beaches for bathing purposes without compensating the

     7
       Unlike Massachusetts, Virginia has not recognized that a
property owners’ riparian rights are subordinate to the
Commonwealth’s right to improve its fisheries.

                                    16
riparian owners.    Similarly, no right to replenish eroding

beaches without compensation has been recognized.     Thus, the

only reason the City can rely on to cut off a property owners

riparian rights without compensation is the regulation and

improvement of navigation.    Accordingly, our determination of

whether the loss of Lynnhaven’s riparian rights is sufficiently

related to the efforts to regulate and improve navigation turns

on whether the dredging of Lynnhaven Inlet would be

“substantially impaired” without the Cape Henry Beach

replenishment project (i.e. the creation of the artificial strip

of land that severed Lynnhaven’s connection to the Chesapeake

Bay).

        Here, it is clear that the connection between the dredging

project and the beach replenishment project was a colorable

relationship at best.    Obviously the sand dredged from Lynnhaven

Inlet had to be placed somewhere.      However, the record is devoid

of any evidence establishing that Cape Henry Beach was the only

location available for sand placement.     It is worth noting that

Cape Henry Beach was not even originally designated to receive

the sand from the dredging of Lynnhaven Inlet.     Indeed, the

entire reason that the City needed to get a permit from the VRMC

to have the sand placed on Cape Henry Beach was because, in

authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge Lynnhaven

Inlet, Congress authorized the placement of the sand on Ocean

                                  17
Park Beach, not Cape Henry Beach.     Thus, in light of the fact

that at least one other beach was available and, indeed,

originally chosen to receive the sand from the dredging project,

it cannot be said that the dredging project would have been

“substantially impaired” if Cape Henry Beach were unavailable

for sand placement. 8   Accordingly, Lynnhaven must be compensated

for the loss of its riparian rights.

                           III. Conclusion

     For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the authorizing

ordinance fully encompassed the City’s actions in bringing this

condemnation proceeding and that the evidence was sufficient to

support the circuit court’s ruling that the City had proved that

it had acquired the Easements by implied dedication.    The

circuit court erred, however, in ruling that Lynnhaven’s loss of

riparian rights was non-compensable, as the beach replenishment

project was not sufficiently related to the dredging of

Lynnhaven Inlet because the failure to place sand on Cape Henry

Beach would not have substantially impaired the dredging

     8
       We recognize that there may be situations where the
creation of an artificial strip of land that severs a
landowner’s riparian rights will be sufficiently related to the
navigational improvement such that it will result in a non-
compensable taking. See, e.g., Home for Aged Women v.
Commonwealth, 89 N.E. 124, 129 (Mass. 1909) (recognizing that
the creation of a seawall and park that cut off the landowner’s
riparian rights “was for the improvement of navigation,” because
the seawall and park were “natural, if not necessary incidents”
related to maintaining the necessary water level).

                                 18
operation.   Accordingly, we will affirm in part and reverse in

part the ruling of the circuit court and remand the matter for a

just compensation hearing to determine the value of Lynnhaven’s

riparian rights.

                                                 Affirmed in part,
                                                  reversed in part
                                                     and remanded.

CHIEF JUSTICE KINSER, with whom JUSTICE MILLETTE and JUSTICE
MIMS join, concurring in part and dissenting in part.

     For the reasons I state in 3232 Page Avenue Condominium

Unit Owners Association v. City of Virginia Beach, 284 Va. 639,

735 S.E.2d 672 (this day decided) (Kinser, C.J., dissenting), I

likewise respectfully dissent in part and would reverse the

portion of the circuit court's judgment holding that it had the

authority in this condemnation proceeding to adjudicate the

ownership claim asserted by the City of Virginia Beach, the

condemnor.   I would therefore vacate the portion of the circuit

court's judgment holding that the City of Virginia Beach

acquired the easements described in the condemnation petition by

implied dedication and acceptance.   However, I concur in part

II, section C. of the majority opinion concerning riparian

rights, and agree that the circuit court erred in ruling that

the loss of riparian rights of the owner, Lynnhaven Dunes

Condominium Association, was not compensable.

                                19
JUSTICE MIMS, concurring in part and dissenting in part.

     I join the opinion of Chief Justice Kinser concurring in

part and dissenting in part.   I also write separately to dissent

from the majority’s holding that the City proved an implied

dedication of the Easements over the portion of Cape Henry Beach

owned by Lynnhaven for the reasons I state in 3232 Page Avenue

Condominium Unit Owners Association v. City of Virginia Beach,

284 Va. 639, 735 S.E.2d 672 (this day decided) (Mims, J.,

dissenting).   I therefore would not apply the “right for the

wrong reason” doctrine to affirm the circuit court’s

determination that the City acquired the Easements and would

reverse the judgment of the circuit court.

                                20