Court Opinion

ID: 9717556
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 07:05:53.032732+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:53.990503
License: Public Domain

PELLEGRINI, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent to the majority’s decision dismissing the appeal filed by Darlene Gall (Appellant) for failure to specify the grounds of her appeal because she should have been allowed to file an amendment to her appeal.
The Zoning Hearing Board of Upper Milford Township (Board) granted a variance to Gloria Smith-Hieter so that she could build a shed on her property. Appellant filed an appeal with the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas (trial court) from the Board’s *761decision but failed to provide any grounds for her appeal. The Board moved to quash her appeal for that reason and the trial court granted the Board’s motion. Appellant then filed an appeal with this Court.
The majority dismisses her appeal on the basis that she failed to specify the grounds of her appeal in the land use appeal as required by Section 1003-A of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. 11003-A(a),1 and based on numerous decisions by this Court supporting that decision by requiring the same. However, recently, in Gierschick v. State Employes’ Retirement Board, 551 Pa. 585, 712 A.2d 280 (Pa.1998), our Supreme Court reversed and remanded for a determination on the merits our August 18, 1997 order in Gierschick v. State Employes’ Retirement Board (No. 1799 C.D. 1997) where we quashed an appeal because it did not set forth the reasons that the agency erred as required by Pa. R.A.P. 1513.2 While it was a per curiam order, our Supreme Court apparently did not want timely filed appeals quashed for that reason when they could easily be amended and the merits addressed.
Because the Supreme Court has indicated by its order that we should not quash this appeal but also allow an amendment, accordingly, I would allow Appellant to amend her appeal and address the merits of the case.

. 53 P.S. 11003-A(a) provides the following:
Land use appeals shall be entered as of course by the prothonotary or clerk upon the tiling of a land use appeal notice which concisely sets forth the grounds on which the appellant relies. The appeal notice need not be verified. The land use appeal notice shall be accompanied by a true copy thereof. (Emphasis added.)

. Pa. R.A.P. 1513 provides, in relevant part, the following:
The petition for review shall contain a statement of the basis for the jurisdiction of the court; the names of the parties seeking review; the name of the government unit ... which made the determination sought to be reviewed; reference to the order or other determination sought to be reviewed; a general statement of the objections to the order or other determination, and a short statement of the relief sought. (Emphasis added.)