Wernet v. Pitney CA2/6 ( 2016 )


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  • Filed 1/19/16 Wernet v. Pitney CA2/6
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
    California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
    publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
    or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
    IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
    SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
    DIVISION SIX
    CONNIE WERNET, as Trustee, etc.,                                              2d Civil No. B260085
    (Super. Ct. No. 1418276)
    Plaintiff and Appellant,                                                (Santa Barbara County)
    v.
    GILBERT A. PITNEY et al.,
    Defendants and Respondents.
    Plaintiff sought a prescriptive easement or, in the alternative, an equitable
    easement over a neighboring property for recreational purposes and to maintain a visual
    buffer. The trial court found in favor of defendants and refused to impose an easement.
    The trial court found plaintiff's use of the disputed area was permissive and
    thus did not result in a prescriptive easement.
    Linthicum v. Butterfield (2009) 
    175 Cal. App. 4th 259
    contains a good
    example of circumstances in which an equitable easement should be imposed. This case
    contains a good example of circumstances in which an equitable easement should not be
    imposed.
    We affirm the judgment.
    FACTS
    Connie Wernet, as trustee of the Connie Wernet Trust (hereafter "Wernet"),
    owns a multiple-acre improved residential parcel in Montecito. Gilbert Pitney and Dayna
    McKee (hereafter collectively "Pitney") own the neighboring multiple-acre residential
    parcel.
    Wernet acquired her parcel in 1999. The existing residence was built
    within five feet of Pitney's property line. A low wall runs on Wernet's parcel just inside
    the property line.
    Wernet's predecessor had landscaped a portion of Pitney's parcel running
    for 45 feet along the boundary line and extending between 25 and 53 feet onto Pitney's
    parcel. The landscaping extended not only over Pitney's parcel, but also onto land owned
    by the Montecito Water District.
    Wernet had been a real estate agent for 10 years at the time she purchased
    her property in 1999. She claims that at the time she purchased her parcel, she was
    unaware that the residence was only five feet from the boundary. She claims she
    believed her property extended over the landscaped portion of Pitney's parcel. She
    claims she learned of the true boundary line only in 2000 when Pitney's predecessor in
    interest, Bob Bree, had a survey conducted prior to the sale of the parcel to Pitney.
    While Pitney was in escrow with Bree for the purchase of his parcel, Bree
    presented Pitney with a written easement for landscaping and maintenance. Pitney
    refused to sign it.
    In June 2000, shortly after Pitney closed escrow on the purchase of his
    parcel, Wernet invited Pitney to her home to introduce herself. Wernet testified Pitney
    stated at the meeting, "I know why you want us over here; you want an easement but we
    will never give it to you and we don't want to hear about it again." Wernet presented
    Pitney with a draft easement. Pitney told her there was no need to sign the easement
    because she had his permission to maintain the trees.
    For the next 12 years, until Wernet filed the complaint, Wernet continued to
    maintain the landscape on a weekly basis without interference from Pitney
    After the meeting in 2000, Pitney and Wernet had very little contact. In
    2012, Wernet and Pitney met to discuss a water line within the disputed area. Pitney
    2.
    declined permission to install the water line and Wernet complied. Pitney and Wernet
    also met to discuss trimming trees in the disputed area to preserve Pitney's ocean view.
    Wernet filed the instant complaint on August 1, 2013. She stated causes of
    action for a prescriptive easement or, in the alternative, an equitable easement. The scope
    of the easement she claimed included walking, dancing, exercising, communing with
    nature, maintaining trees and other vegetation and maintenance of a "visual buffer."
    Trial was by the court sitting without a jury. The trial court gave judgment
    in favor of Pitney on all causes of action. The court found Pitney to be credible and
    Wernet not to be credible. The court also found as follows:
    The scope of the easement Wernet was seeking amounted to a possessory
    interest. Wernet cannot avoid the tax element of adverse possession by claiming a
    prescriptive easement. There is no evidence Wernet paid taxes on the disputed area.
    Wernet failed to prove her use of the disputed area was adverse, as required
    for a prescriptive easement. Instead, Pitney told Wernet at their first meeting in 2000 that
    she did not need an easement because she had his permission to use the disputed area. In
    addition, Pitney showed her use of the disputed area was by neighborly accommodation.
    The parties agreed on the trimming of trees to preserve Pitney's view. When Wernet
    asked Pitney's permission to install a water line, Pitney refused, and Wernet complied.
    In deciding against Wernet's claim of an equitable easement, the trial court
    pointed out doubtful cases should be decided against a trespasser. (Citing Christensen v.
    Tucker (1952) 
    114 Cal. App. 2d 554
    , 562.) Wernet claimed to be a trespasser in her cause
    of action for a prescriptive easement. The trial court also found that Wernet's claim of
    innocence is not credible given her 10 years' experience as a real estate agent, as well as
    the involvement of two other real estate agents in her purchase. Finally, the court found
    the wall along her property line should have put her on notice to inquire as to the true
    boundary.
    Wernet moved for a new trial in which she attempted to introduce
    additional evidence. The trial court denied the motion. On appeal, Wernet moves that
    we take judicial notice of Pitney's chain of title. We deny the motion.
    3.
    DISCUSSION
    I
    The elements of an easement by prescription are use of the land of another
    which is open and notorious, continuous and adverse for an uninterrupted period of five
    years. (Warsaw v. Chicago Metallic Ceilings, Inc. (1984) 
    35 Cal. 3d 564
    , 570.) Whether
    the elements are established is a question of fact. (Ibid.) The party claiming a
    prescriptive easement has the burden of establishing each of the elements. (Lynch v.
    Glass (1975) 
    44 Cal. App. 3d 943
    , 950.)
    Here the trial court found Wernet's use of the disputed area was not
    adverse, but permissive. Permissive use cannot ripen into a prescriptive easement. (See
    Lyons v. Schwartz (1940) 
    40 Cal. App. 2d 60
    , 66.) The trial court's finding is supported by
    Pitney's testimony that, shortly after he purchased his property in 2000, he gave Wernet
    oral permission to use the disputed area. The court also cited evidence of neighborly
    accommodation.
    Here Wernet had nothing more than Pitney's oral permission to use the
    disputed area. Mere permission to use the land of another is a license. (O'Shea v.
    Claude C. Wood Co. (1979) 
    97 Cal. App. 3d 903
    , 909.) A licensee has no interest in the
    land that she can assert against the licensor. (Eastman v. Piper (1924) 
    68 Cal. App. 554
    ,
    560.) It follows that a license may be terminated at the will of the licensor. (12 Witkin,
    Summary of Cal. Law (10th ed. 2005) Real Property, § 429, p. 501.) In contrast, an
    easement is an interest in the land of another and cannot be terminated at the will of the
    owner of the servient estate. (Id. at § 382, p. 447.)
    In Wernet's motion for a new trial, she requested that the court consider
    additional evidence that was not produced at trial. But additional evidence may only be
    considered if the party making the motion shows the evidence could not with reasonable
    diligence have been discovered and produced at trial. (Code Civ. Proc. § 657, subd. 4.)
    Because of the possibility that the moving party may have been guilty of neglect, a
    motion based on such evidence is viewed with "suspicion and disfavor." (Horowitz v.
    Noble (1978) 
    79 Cal. App. 3d 120
    , 138.) Thus, a strong showing is necessary. Here
    4.
    Wernet makes no such showing. For the same reason, we deny Wernet's motion for
    judicial notice of Pitney's chain of title. Obviously it could have been discovered and
    produced at trial.
    In Wernet's motion for a new trial, she requested that the trial court allow
    her to prove Pitney stated his permission would last until either party sold his or her
    parcel. In denying the motion, the trial court pointed out that Pitney expressly testified he
    made no such provision. The court also pointed out Wernet's opening statement
    acknowledged she was unsure of the position Pitney would take at trial.
    Wernet argues that the trial court abused its discretion by considering her
    opening statement as a judicial admission, while not considering an admission made in
    Pitney's opening statement. Pitney's counsel stated that Pitney gave Wernet permission to
    use the disputed area until one party sold his or her parcel.
    Wernet's argument fails for a number of reasons.
    First, Wernet cites no authority to support the proposition that if the trial
    court considers a statement made by plaintiff's counsel as a judicial admission, it must
    also consider a statement made by defendants' counsel as a judicial admission.
    Second, the trial court did not take Wernet's counsel's statement as a
    judicial admission. Instead, the trial court simply pointed out that Wernet's opening
    statement indicated she was aware Pitney might deny he told Wernet the permissive use
    would last until one of the parcels sold. Thus, she should have met the issue at trial,
    instead of making a motion for a new trial.
    Third, even if Pitney had promised not to revoke his permission until one of
    the properties was sold, it would not change the result. An interest in the land of another
    that cannot be revoked at will by the servient owner is an easement. (See 12 Witkin,
    Summary of Cal. Law, supra, § 382, p. 447.) But an easement cannot be created by a
    parol agreement. (Elliott v. McCombs (1941) 
    17 Cal. 2d 23
    , 30.) Here the permission to
    use the disputed area was in parol. Thus, even if Pitney stated he would not withdraw his
    permission unless one of the properties was sold, the statement would be unenforceable.
    Wernet had a mere license that could be terminated by Pitney at will.
    5.
    Wernet argues the trial court erred in denying her motion for a new trial on
    the ground that Pitney's answer to an interrogatory contradicted his trial testimony.
    Pitney stated in his answer to an interrogatory that he gave Wernet permission to
    maintain the vegetation in the disputed area so long as the properties were owned by the
    respective parties.
    The trial court denied the motion for a new trial because Wernet failed to
    introduce the interrogatory into evidence during trial. The trial court is correct. The time
    to introduce evidence to impeach a witness is at trial, not in a post-trial motion.
    Moreover, the evidence is irrelevant. Even if Pitney had promised not to terminate his
    permission until one of the parcels was sold, he could still terminate the license at will.
    Wernet argues Pitney acted inconsistently when post-trial he removed all
    the vegetation from the disputed area. But Pitney could terminate the license at will. He
    simply terminated the license.
    II
    Wernet contends the trial court erred in denying her an equitable easement.
    In Linthicum v. 
    Butterfield, supra
    , 
    175 Cal. App. 4th 259
    , we discussed the
    circumstances under which the trial court properly exercises its discretion to create an
    equitable easement. The encroachment must not be the result of the willful act of the
    party seeking the easement; where the owner of the servient parcel will be irreparably
    injured, the easement should be denied; and the hardship suffered by the person seeking
    the easement must be greatly disproportionate to the hardship suffered by the servient
    owner if the easement is created. (Id. at p. 265.) In doubtful cases, the easement should
    be denied. (Ibid.)
    Wernet argues the trial court failed to balance the harm. That is because
    Wernet suffered no harm.
    Wernet seeks easements on Pitney's parcel for recreation and a visual
    buffer. If a desire to recreate and maintain a visual buffer on a neighbor's property were
    all that is necessary for an equitable easement, no property would be safe from such a
    6.
    claim. Being without the ability to recreate and maintain a visual buffer on a neighbor's
    property is simply not the type of hardship that equity will recognize.
    Linthicum presents an example of an appropriate balancing of the
    hardships. There plaintiffs sought to enjoin the use of a roadway across their parcel by
    neighboring landowners. The use of the roadway by the neighboring owners would not
    substantially interfere with plaintiffs' right to use and develop their parcel. On the other
    side of the balance, denying the neighboring landowners the use of the roadway would
    leave their parcels landlocked and valueless. (Linthicum v. 
    Butterfield, supra
    , 175
    Cal.App.4th at p. 265.) Thus, the imposition of an access easement struck the appropriate
    balance.
    The difference between the hardship claimed by the neighboring
    landowners in Linthicum and the hardship claimed by Wernet here could not be more
    apparent. In Linthicum, the court's refusal to impose an easement would have denied the
    neighboring landowners access to their parcels. Here the court's refusal to impose an
    easement has no effect on Wernet's use and enjoyment of her own parcel whatsoever.
    She simply wants free use of her neighbor's parcel.
    The judgment is affirmed. Costs on appeal are awarded to respondents.
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.
    GILBERT, P.J.
    We concur:
    YEGAN, J.
    PERREN, J.
    7.
    James E. Herman, Judge
    Superior Court County of Santa Barbara
    ______________________________
    Law Offices of Paul R. Burns, P.C., Paul Robert Burns for Plaintiff and
    Appellant.
    John C. Lauritsen for Defendants and Respondents.
    8.
    

Document Info

Docket Number: B260085

Filed Date: 1/19/2016

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 4/17/2021