Court Opinion

ID: 9518307
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 00:49:32.253704+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:28:15.572184
License: Public Domain

McWilliams, J.,
delivered the opinion of the Court. Barnes, J., concurred in part and dissented in part and filed a separate opinion; see page 90, infra.
This will be the last, we hope, of the Marcus,1 Baker 2 Wahler3 Randolph Hills 4 tetralogy. The properties involved in these four cases are contiguous and a part of the property in this case was before us in Baker. It is at once apparent that Marcus, Baker and Wahler will be required reading for anyone seeking a full understanding of this opinion. It should be observed, perhaps, that Wahler was argued the day before this case was argued and that it was decided only two days before our decision here.
It will be less confusing, more convenient, but perhaps somewhat less elegant, to refer to the triangular 62 acre tract which *80has become our concern as the subject property.5 Its northern boundary, also the base of the triangle (the apex is to the south), runs for most of its 2600 feet along Jingle Lane and Briggs Road. The southeastern side, about 1500 feet, fronts on Layhill Road, a busy thoroughfare. The southwestern side, about 2400 feet, abuts the Marcus tract, the Wahler tract, some R-90 property and some R-T property. It joins the base of the triangle at Jingle Lane. For rezoning purposes the tract was divided into 3 unequal parcels. R-T zoning was requested for the 6.4 acre parcel on the west, part of which fronts on Jingle Lane. R-T or R-20 was requested for the 5.9 acre center parcel. R-20 was requested for the 49.6 acre eastern parcel, about half of which is the property for which R-20 was sought in Baker. Most of the subject property is wooded although some parts of it have been cleared. The eastern and center parcels are relatively level. The western parcel is rolling.
All of the land for one-half mile north of the subject property is zoned R-90. Beyond that the zoning is R-R (Rural Residential). One finds throughout this area scattered single family residences and vacant land. To the west is a large subdivision known as Foxhall, zoned R-90. To the east across Lay-hill Road is the Layhill South Subdivision, a portion of which is wooded and which contains a number of large, new, single family residences. To the south and southwest are the Marcus tract, which is zoned R-30, the Wahler tract (now R-60), a church and 4.2 acres recently zoned R-T. Everything else is R-90. All of the land on the southwest side of Georgia Avenue, except 4 acres of R-T, is zoned R-60.
When the Council adopted its resolution (9 August 1966) there had been pending for some time two condemnation suits initiated by the Montgomery County School Board, one of which sought the acquisition of about 40% of the eastern parcel; the other sought to acquire nearly 65% of the center and western parcels. The Council excluded both areas from its resolution.
*81The technical staff recommended denial of all three applications. The Planning Board approved the recommendation of the staff and recommended to the Council the rejection of the three applications. Noting the disapproval of a number of earlier (since 1955) applications for the rezoning of parts of the subject property, the staff was of the opinion “that multi-family zoning should not be permitted to expand at this location.” The staff found that “the existing R-30 zoning [Marcus tract] to the south serves as a more than adequate buffer between the commercial center located farther to the south and the area to the north which was planned and zoned for single family residential development.” The existing multi-family area, it went on to say, “is of a sufficient depth and arranged in such a manner so as to require, in the staff’s opinion, no further expansion.” (Emphasis supplied.) The staff also felt the rezoning “would generate a vastly increased amount of traffic, compounding the already overcrowded and oftentimes dangerous existing situation in this area.”
After a hearing on 3 June 1966 the Council adopted 3 resolutions. In respect of the western parcel, after expressing disagreement with the Planning Board and its staff, it reclassified the remaining (after excluding the school site, etc.) 2.5731 acres from R-90 to R-T. The Council was of the opinion the “Glenmont area has changed from that of a single-family residential community to that of a rapidly expanding combination of commercial and multiple-family uses.” Reference was made to its statement in Marcus that the R-30 classification in that case would provide “ ‘a nice transition between commercial and R-90 zoning.’ ” But, the Council went on, “since that decision ❖ * =1= the * * * area has continued on its rapid expansion of commercial and apartment uses. Thus, the Council finds no justification for holding the line at the same points as were warranted in 1963. It woidd seem more logical to extend apartment use to P-14 [Briggs Road] at this time.” (Emphasis supplied.) It found further that “the granting of * * * [the] application * * * [would] have no detrimental effects to the use or development of the adjacent properties or to the neighborhood.”
The second resolution, virtually a facsimile of the first, re*82classified the remaining 2.0641 acres in the center parcel from R-90 to R-20. The third resolution, also a virtual facsimile of the first and second, reclassified the remaining 25.3284 acres in the eastern parcel from R-90 to R-20.
The appeal to the circuit court was heard by Judge Pugh on 9 February 1967. The proceedings were not reported. On 28 February Judge Pugh reversed the decisions of the Council and filed an opinion stating his reasons for so doing. “To say that there has been a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood,” he announced, “would be mere folly and not based upon a proper consideration of the actual situation.” We think Judge Pugh reached the correct result.
I.
Appellant contends the testimony of Leslie Williams, an expert whose qualifications are indeed impressive, makes the question of mistake in the original zoning of 1954 fairly debatable. In limine, it should be recalled that the Master Plan, adopted by the Planning Commission in April 1961 continued the subject property in the R-90 classification. In Marcus (1964) the Council seemed content to continue R-90 and expressed satisfaction that the R-90 would be protected by the Marcus buffer. In Baker (1966) no effort was made to show that there had been a mistake in the original zoning. In Wabler the issue of mistake was not raised. Indeed, neither the Council nor the Planning Board nor its staff touched upon the subject of mistake in any of the opinions filed in the instant case.
Mr. Williams was a skilled, articulate witness and he did go on. He thought “great mistakes” had been made in the master plan. He said there was “no recognition whatsoever of the interrelationship of transportation facilities, such as major highways, and the effect it would have upon land development itself.” He pointed to the “tremendous effect” the “Outer Circumferential Freeway” and the “Northern Parkway” and the proposed interchanges will have on the area. Although these roads are a long way from reality they are shown on the master plan. Also shown are the proposed interchanges to which Mr. Williams referred. All of them are shown to be within a mile of the subject property. Oddly enough, he admitted he “did not *83make any study as to how the plan was developed.” It is entirely clear that if Mr. Williams had been employed to develop the master plan probably he would have done it somewhat differently. That is not to say, however, that the plan, as developed, is a mistake or that it contains mistakes. If mistakes there are, neither Mr. Williams nor any other witness has shown how the proposed rezoning of the subject property will correct them. In our judgment there is nothing in this record which would make the issue of original mistake fairly debatable and that is very likely why the Council was careful to observe, in its opinion, merely, “that the Master Plan’s recommendations for the Glenmont area are unrealistic in that they do not take into consideration the impact of the recent intense land usage in this area.” (Emphasis supplied.)
II.
To support its contention that the evidence in respect of substantial change in the character of the neighborhood was fairly debatable appellant relies on the testimony of Donald G. Shook, a planning and zoning consultant whose qualifications as an expert are not disputed. Since Mr. Shook lists more than 80 zoning changes since 1946 in support of his opinion, it becomes necessary to consider his testimony and his written report in some detail.
It is immediately evident that most of the rezonings cited by Mr. Shook have no relevance here. Properties 2, 3 and more miles distant are not within the neighborhood and whatever may have happened to them is not evidence of substantial change in the character of this neighborhood. Woodlawn Association v. Board, 241 Md. 187, 216 A. 2d 149 (1966). Many of the rezonings cited were actually in conformity with the master plan. Many were changes to a commercial classification in unmistakably commercial areas. The fact that appellant relies only on the few having any real relevance obviates the necessity of discussing any more of them. We shall treat them in the order in which they appear in appellant’s brief.
(i)
The Wahler property, having reverted to its original R-60 classification, no longer has any relevance. The 4.2 acre parcel *84changed from R-60 to R-T, discussed in Wahler, does not constitute evidence of a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood.
(Ü)
This is a 4.1 acre tract close to the junction of Georgia Avenue and Layhill Road, with frontage on both of those heavily traveled thoroughfares, which was changed from R-90 to C-l (Commercial) on 15 February 1966. It is a part of the commercial area referred to in Marcus. It will be recalled that Marcus was to “provide a nice transition between commercial [this 4.1 acre tract] and R-90 zoning [the subject property].” To argue that this is evidence of a substantial change in the character of the R-90 area is baying at the moon.
(iii)
When the 70 foot road (P-9) described in Wahler was realigned and relocated, the 73,269 square feet it had occupied was changed from R-90 to R-30 to conform with the land (Marcus tract) abutting on both sides. Brandishing this as evidence of change is indeed de minimis.
(iv)
On 26 April 1966, 5 properties totaling 20 acres, on Hewitt Avenue and Georgia Avenue were changed from R-90 to R-20. Appellant admits they are at least 3500 feet northwest of the subject property. The master plan indicates they are also within 1000 feet of the proposed interchange between the proposed Outer Circumferential Beltway and Georgia Avenue. We fail to see what those rezonings might have to do with the character of this neighborhood. Woodlawn, supra.
O)
In March 1966, 2 acres were added to an existing R-20 area on Shorefield Road which is a mile, at least, from the subject property, across Layhill Road and 2000 feet south of Randolph Road. (Perhaps it would be helpful to point out that Georgia Avenue runs in a northerly direction as it approaches the Glenmont area. Shorefield Road turns off at right angles to the east. 2000 feet further north Randolph Road branches off to the northeast. Georgia Avenue then turns gradually to the northwest and in about 1000 feet Layhill Road branches off to the right and *85runs almost due north. Georgia Avenue continues on in a northwesterly direction.) This change can have no conceivable effect on the character of the neighborhood of the subject property.
(vi)
In September 1964, 6.7 acres was added to the large R-30 area south of Randolph Road. The tract is nearly a mile from the subject property.
(vii)
In February 1965, two parcels totaling 3 acres were changed from R-90 to R-30. They lie between the Marcus tract and Layhill Road. They fill out the “nice transition” between commercial and R-90 in the sector6 formed by Georgia Avenue and Layhill Road. Rather than furnish evidence of a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood this rezoning completes the plan the Council devised to protect its character.
(viii)
The Council, on 1 December 1964, created two R-T areas about 1200 feet from the subject property and on the opposite (southwest) side of Georgia Avenue. They have no significance here for the same reasons set forth in Wahler.
(ix)
On 5 July 1966, after the hearing but before its decision in the instant case, the Council reclassified about 65 acres across Layhill Road from the subject property. One first must visualize the sector formed by Randolph Road on the east and Georgia Avenue and Layhill Road on the west. At the apex of the sector is the Glenmont Shopping Center. Abutting the shopping center to the north is a band of R-30 zoning running from Layhill Road to Randolph Road. 1600 feet further north is the Layhill South Subdivision, all of which is R-90. The 65 acre tract forms a belt about 800 feet wide running from Layhill Road to Randolph Road. In short, it is nearly all of the land lying between the R-30 belt north of the shopping center and the Layhill South Subdivision. 27 of the 65 acres were changed *86from R-90 to R-30. 20 acres were changed from R-90 to R-20. 17 acres were put in the R-T classification.7
It seems to us the Council was simply repeating what it had already done in the Georgia Avenue-Layhill Road sector. It was providing, as it did in Marcus, a “nice transition” from the shopping center commercial to the R-90 and R-R areas to the north. It would scarcely seem to follow because the Council chose to do this in a slightly different fashion (i.e., by creating some R-20, buffered by R-T 8) that the earlier plan (Marcus) should be abandoned. Since we look upon it as a plan designed to protect and stabilize the R-90 area (Layhill South Subdivision) which adjoins the subject property on the east, we do not see how it can be considered as evidence of substantial change in the character of the neighborhood of the subject property.
(x)
Finally, appellant cites the changes relied upon in Marcus. They are the fire engine house and the police station at Georgia Avenue and Randolph Road, the Glenmont Shopping Center, the Americana Apartments south of Randolph Road, the widening of roads and the enlargement of sewers. Since these changes were relied upon (in Marcus) to support the R-30 “transition” established to protect the subject property and the other R-90' properties to the north, it now seems rather footless to try to use them to accomplish the ruin of that protective device. Oddly enough, none of these changes was relied on by the applicant in Baker.
We see in this record no evidence of changes in conditions sufficient to make the issue of substantial change in the character of the neighborhood fairly debatable.
*87III.
Appellant contends it is entitled, at least, to keep the R-T zoning of the remainder (2.5731 acres) of the western parcel. It argues that “the testimony of Mr. Williams and Mr. Shook that the proposed R-T zoning is compatible with the neighboring R-90 property is uncontradicted.” The only statement, in which R-T is mentioned, that we have been able to discover in Mr. Williams’ testimony (or statement) is:
“The requested R-T and R-20 residential density blends with existing residential development and with other R-T, R-20 and R-30 zoning in adjoining tracts to form a coordinated land pattern with Glenmont civic, institutional and commercial uses that already have grown into a satellite community nucleus at the important and strategic junction of State Routes 97, 183 and 182, namely Georgia Avenue, Randolph Road and Layhill Road.
“Rezoning for R-T and R-20 on this tract is positive zoning. It permits appropriate residential densities in accordance with underlying development policies respondent to forces affecting change from outside Glenmont and in accord with efficient use of land so located as is subject tract.”
It has rhythm and sonority but we do not see anything touching on the compatibility of this R-T zoning with the surrounding property. Mr. Shook seems not to have mentioned the subject at all. The technical staff made no mention of the requested R-T zoning other than to recommend its denial. The Planning Board expressed no opinion, contenting itself with approval of the staff’s statement “as generally stating the Board’s opinion.” In the opinion of the Council there is this paragraph :
“The Council further finds that the granting of this application will have no detrimental effects to the use or development of the adjacent properties or to the neighborhood.”
One wonders what this language was intended to mean when one discovers that precisely the same language appears in the *88other two opinions dealing with R-20 zoning. If it is contended (it was not) that this represents compliance with what we said in Bujno v. Montgomery Co. Coun., 243 Md. 110, 220 A. 2d 126 (1966), then we must demur. There Judge Barnes, for the Court, said:
“The appellants also seek to distinguish Beall from the case at bar on the ground that in Beall the Technical Staff, the Planning Board and the Council all indicated that the application complied with the purposes of the R-H zone whereas in the case at bar, the Technical Staff and Planning Board did not indicate this and the Council sought to justify its action by a finding that there had been sufficient change in the character of the neighborhood. We point out that the order of the Council in the case at bar was filed on December 18, 1964, several months before our decision in Beall which was decided on August 27, 1965, so that the Council did not have the benefit of the Beall opinion in which we indicated there should be a finding that the proposal for R-H zoning complied with the purposes of tlmt zone. Although it is most desirable that the Council should find specifically that the proposal does comply with the R-H zone purposes, this finding may be inferred from the Council’s opinion even though, as a matter of abundant caution perhaps, it also found that there had been a sufficient change of conditions in the neighborhood to justify the proposed reclassification.” Id. at 118-19. (Emphasis supplied.)
It will be observed that the Council, in the case at bar, had the benefit of our holdings in Beall v. Montgomery County, 240 Md. 77, 212 A. 2d 751 (1965), Knudsen v. Montgomery County, 241 Md. 436, 217 A. 2d 97 (1966), and Bujno.
We shall not undertake to delimit the finding which must be made by the Council to sustain an R-T zoning, nor to suggest the nature and amount of evidence which should be produced in support thereof, as these considerations will vary from case to case. We do not hesitate to say, however, that neither the finding nor the evidence in the case at bar comes anywhere near *89being adequate to sustain the R-T classification. Cf. Bigenho v. Montgomery County, 248 Md. 386, 237 A. 2d 53 (1968).
IV.
All things considered, it seems fair to say that the real basis for the Council’s decision is a present desire to relocate the boundary between the R-30 area and the R-90 area. Its statement, part of which was quoted earlier, is as follows :
“The Council is of the opinion that the Glenmont area has changed from that of a single-family residential community to that of a rapidly expanding combination of commercial and multiple-family uses. Indeed, the Council has so found in the rezoning of the property in Application No. C-965 [Marcus tract]. In that opinion, dated May 21, 1963, the Council felt that the reclassification to R-30 would provide ‘a nice transition between commercial and R-90 zoning.’ Since that decision, however, the Glenmont area has continued on its rapid expansion of commercial and apartment uses. Thus, the Council finds no justification for holding the line at the same points as were warranted in 1963. It would seem more logical to extend the apartment use to P-14 at this time.” (Emphasis supplied.)
This seems to us to be a text-book example of the “mere impermissible change of mind or heart” referred to in Polinger v. Briefs, 244 Md. 538, 541, 224 A. 2d 460 (1966), and condemned in Kay Const. Co. v. County Council, 227 Md. 479, 177 A. 2d 694 (1962) and Schultze v. Montgomery County Bd., 230 Md. 76, 185 A. 2d 502 (1962). If the Council can do this today, then there is no reason why it cannot extend the line 1000 feet further north next month, 1500 feet the following month, and so on, ad infinitum.
Other questions were presented but in view of what we have said we do not think they require our consideration. We shall, therefore, affirm Judge Pugh’s order of 23 February 1967 reversing the decision of the Montgomery County Council and its resolutions in Zoning Cases C-757, C-758 and C-759.

Order affirmed.

Costs to be paid by appellant.

. Marcus v. Montgomery County, 335 Md. 535, 201 A. 2d 777 (1964).

. Baker v. Montgomery County, 241 Md. 178, 215 A. 2d 831 (1966).

. Wahler v. Montgomery County, 248 Md. 62, 238 A. 2d 266 (1968).

. The case at bar.

. Randolph Hills, Inc., the appellant, is the contract purchaser of the subject property. The Council did not appeal.

. The geometrical shape resembling a piece of a pie.

. After this opinion had been written but before it had been adopted by the Court it was learned from sources dehors the record that the application for R-T zoning in respect of 6 of the 17 acres was withdrawn and that the application in respect of the remainder was denied by the Council. A portion of the 6 acre tract, it is believed, will be included in the site for the Winexburg Elementary School. The zoning of the 17 acres, therefore, would remain R-90.

. R-T could be considered R-90 if the information in footnote 7 were a part of the record. The effect, however, would be the same.