Thomas Hayes, Margaret Hayes, and Dustin Stibbins v. Anderson County and Jack Herrington ( 2010 )

NO. 12-09-00181-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
THOMAS HAYES, MARGARET HAYES,
AND DUSTIN STIBBINS, ' APPEAL FROM THE 87TH
APPELLANTS
V. ' JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF
ANDERSON COUNTY AND ' ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS
JACK HERRINGTON,
APPELLEES
OPINION
Thomas Hayes, Margaret Hayes, and Dustin Stibbins (collectively “Appellants”)
appeal the trial court’s judgment entered in favor of Appellees Anderson County (the
“County”) and Jack Herrington declaring that Anderson County Road 3016 (“CR 3016”)
was impliedly dedicated as a public road with a width of fifty feet. Appellants raise four
issues on appeal. We affirm in part and reverse and render in part.
BACKGROUND
Stibbins and Hayes purchased real property along CR 3016 during the early to
mid-2000s. In 2007, there were times when public access to CR 3016 became impeded.
In April 2008, Anderson County filed an original petition seeking a declaratory judgment
that CR 3016 was a public road that had been impliedly dedicated in Anderson County.
Stibbins, the Hayeses, and Jack Herrington were named as defendants in the suit.
Herrington aligned himself with the County, alleging that CR 3016 should be declared a
public road. To the contrary, Stibbins and the Hayeses maintained that the roadway was,
in fact, an easement granted by J.B. Herrington and his wife, Emma Herrington, to D.P.
Berry in an instrument dated December 2, 1940.
Following a bench trial, the trial court determined that CR 3016 was a public road
with a width of fifty feet. No findings of fact or conclusions of law were requested. This
appeal followed.
JURISDICTION OF TRIAL COURT
In their third issue, Appellants contend that the trial court exceeded its jurisdiction
by determining that CR 3016 had been dedicated to the public. In support of their
argument, Appellants cite section 251.051(a)(1) of the Texas Transportation Code, which
states, in pertinent part, that “the commissioner’s court of a county shall: (1) order that
public roads be laid out, opened, discontinued, closed, abandoned, vacated or altered….”
TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 251.051(a)(1) (Vernon 1999).
Prior to 1981, Texas recognized dedication of public roads either by statute or by
common law. See Jezek v. City of Midland, 605 S.W.2d 544, 548 (Tex. 1980). In 1981,
the legislature abolished the common law doctrine of implied dedication as a means of
establishing that a particular road traversing private property was a public road. Baker v.
Peace, 172 S.W.3d 82, 87 (Tex. App.–El Paso 2005, pet. denied) (citing Act of May 31,
1981, 67th Leg., R.S., ch. 613, §§ 1, 2 & 4, 1981 TEX. GEN. LAWS 2412 (current version
at TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. §§ 281.002, 281.003 (Vernon 1999)). Because there is no
provision in the statute for retroactive application, it can only be applied prospectively.
See id. As such, the statutory abolishment of implied dedication of public roadways does
not affect an implied dedication, which, as here, is alleged to have occurred before the
effective date of the statute. See Scown v. Neie, 225 S.W.3d 303, 309–10 (Tex. App.–El
Paso 2006, pet. denied).
Common law dedications can be either expressed or implied. Jezek, 605 S.W.2d
at 544. An implied dedication occurs when there is some act or course of conduct from
which the law will imply an intent to dedicate the land. See id. at 548–49. A district
court of this state has jurisdiction to determine whether there has been an implied
dedication of a public road and its location. See Tabor v. Hogan, 955 S.W.2d 894, 897
(Tex. App.–Amarillo 1997, no pet.) (trial court had jurisdiction to determine location of
county road); see, e.g., County of Real v. Hafley, 873 S.W.2d 725, 725 (Tex. App.–San
Antonio 1994, writ denied) (action seeking declaratory judgment that road was not public
road). Therefore, we hold that the trial court had jurisdiction to enter a declaratory
judgment based upon the legal theory of implied dedication. Appellant’s third issue is
overruled.
EVIDENTIARY SUFFICIENCY - IMPLIED DEDICATION
In their first issue, Appellants argue that there was insufficient evidence to
establish that CR 3016 was impliedly dedicated for public use.
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Standard of Review
Where, as in the instant case, findings of fact and conclusions of law are neither
filed nor requested following a bench trial, it is implied that the trial court made all
findings necessary to support its judgment, provided that (1) the necessary findings are
raised by the pleadings and supported by the evidence and (2) the decision can be
sustained by any reasonable theory consistent with the evidence and applicable law. See
Santa Fe Petroleum, L.L.C. v. Star Canyon Corp., 156 S.W.3d 630, 636 (Tex. App.–
Tyler 2004, no pet.); see also TEX. R. CIV. P. 296, 299(a). We review de novo a trial
court’s conclusions of law, whether express or implied. Santa Fe Petroleum, 156
S.W.3d at 636. A conclusion of law will be set aside if it is erroneous as a matter of law.
Id. Moreover, when a reporter’s record is brought forward, the trial court’s implied
findings may be challenged by legal sufficiency and factual sufficiency issues the same
as jury findings or a trial court’s findings of fact. See Alford v. Johnston, 224 S.W.3d
291, 296 (Tex. App.–El Paso 2005, pet. denied). The judgment must be affirmed if it can
be upheld on any legal theory that finds support in the evidence. See Worford v.
Stamper, 801 S.W.2d 108, 109 (Tex. 1990).
When reviewing a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we must
determine “whether the evidence at trial would enable reasonable and fair minded people
to reach the verdict under review.” City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 827 (Tex.
2005). In making this determination, we must credit favorable evidence if a reasonable
finder of fact could, and disregard contrary evidence unless a reasonable finder of fact
could not. Id. The finder of fact is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and
the weight to be assigned to their testimony. See Canal Ins. Co. v. Hopkins, 238 S.W.3d
549, 557 (Tex. App.–Tyler 2007, pet. denied) (citing City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 819).
The finder of fact is free to believe one witness and disbelieve another, and reviewing
courts may not impose their own opinions to the contrary. Id. Accordingly, we must
assume that the finder of fact decided all credibility questions in favor of the findings if a
reasonable person could do so. Id. If a reasonable finder of fact could have done so, we
must assume that the finder of fact chose what testimony to disregard in a way that
favored the findings. See Canal, 238 S.W.3d at 557 (citing City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at
820).
When considering a challenge to the factual sufficiency of the evidence, we
examine the entire record to determine whether a finding is clearly wrong and unjust. See
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Kinder Morgan N. Tex. Pipeline, L.P. v. Justiss, 202 S.W.3d 427, 437 (Tex. App.–
Texarkana 2006, no pet.). We must consider and weigh all the evidence, not just that
evidence which supports the verdict. See Mar. Overseas Corp. v. Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402,
407 (Tex. 1998). We can set aside the verdict only if it is so contrary to the
overwhelming weight of the evidence that the verdict is clearly wrong and unjust. Id.;
Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986). We are not a fact finder. See Justiss,
202 S.W.3d at 437. Accordingly, we may not pass on the witnesses’ credibility or
substitute our judgment for that of the fact finder, even if the evidence would clearly
support a different result. See Golden Eagle Archery, Inc. v. Jackson, 116 S.W.3d 757,
761 (Tex. 2003); Ellis, 971 S.W.2d at 407. If we find the evidence is factually
insufficient, we must clearly state why the finding is insufficient or is so against the great
weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust. Pool v. Ford
Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex. 1986).
Governing Law
Dedication is the act of appropriating private land to the public for any general or
public use. Baker, 172 S.W.3d at 87. Whether a road has been dedicated for public use
is a question of fact. Steel v. Wheeler, 993 S.W.2d 376, 378 (Tex. App.–Tyler 1999, pet.
denied). The essential elements of implied dedication are (1) the acts of the land owner
induced the belief that the land owner intended to dedicate the road to public use; (2) he
was competent to do so; (3) the public relied on those acts and will be served by the
dedication; and (4) there was an offer and acceptance of the dedication. Las Vegas
Pecan & Cattle Co., Inc. v. Zavalla County, 682 S.W.2d 254, 256 (Tex. 1984).
Evidence of long and continued use by the public raises a presumption of
dedication by the owner when the origin of the public use and the ownership of the land
at the time it originated cannot be shown, one way or the other, due to the lapse of time.
Baker, 172 S.W.3d at 88; see also O’Connor v. Gragg, 339 S.W.2d 878, 883 (Tex. 1960)
(“Where ownership of the land at the time of such origin is shrouded in obscurity, and no
proof can be adduced to show the intention of the owner allowing the use, the law raises a
presumption that the requisite intention and acts disclosing it were present.”). There must
be some evidence of an additional factor that implies a donative intent when considered
in light of the owner’s acquiescence in the public’s use of the roadway. Baker, 172
S.W.3d at 88. Evidence of this additional factor can be permitting public authorities to
grade, repair, or otherwise improve the roadway. See id.
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The Evidence
Herrington, a proponent of CR 3016’s dedication as a public road, testified that he
grew up in the area where CR 3016 is now located. Herrington stated that, following his
return from military service in World War II, the road was built at the prompting of R.J.
Goodman. Herrington further stated that he had measured the road and that it was thirty-
five feet in width. Herrington also testified that the County had maintained the road since
its construction.
Sammy Overton, who grew up in the nearby Brushy Creek area, testified that he
had worked for Anderson County for twenty-five years. Overton further testified that he
did not remember precisely when the road was constructed, but that it had been
constructed during the period of time when Tom Campbell Elrod was the County
Commissioner for the precinct. Overton stated that, in 1965, he went to work for the
County under Elrod’s successor as Precinct Commissioner, “Blue” Beard. Overton
further stated that he used road equipment to maintain the road weekly from 1965 until
1977. Overton testified that he also maintained the road when he went back to work for
the County from 1990 to 2003. Overton also testified that George Rose, who had worked
under Elrod, operated a road grader on the road prior to Overton’s employment by the
County in 1965. Overton stated that the road was previously known as “Goodman Road”
before being designated CR 3016.
Carl House has worked for the County continuously since 1990. House testified
that he has worked on CR 3016 throughout his tenure with the County. House further
testified that during his time as a county employee, the County has bladed the road, put
asphalt on it, and built a bridge. House stated that throughout the entirety of his
employment with the County, the road has always been designated as CR 3016. Yet,
House, who grew up nearby in Frankston, Texas, testified that he also had heard the road
referred to as “Goodman Road.”
John Caveness testified on Appellants’ behalf. He testified that he had lived in
the Frankston area for forty years and that he did not know that CR 3016 was a county
road. Caveness further testified that he had done work in the area for a previous
landowner along the road in 1993 and described the road as a “pig trail.” Caveness stated
that he had used his equipment to clear the road enough so that he could get equipment in
and out of the property where he was working. Caveness further stated that the road that
the County used to work on in the area was actually another road, which was now behind
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a locked gate on Herrington’s property.
Bob Whitehurst testified that he had lived in the area since 1954 and that the road
located behind a locked gate on Herrington’s property was, in fact, the road formerly
known as “Goodman Road.” Whitehurst further testified that this road had been open to
public use. Whitehurst stated that what is now CR 3016 did not exist when he was
growing up in the area. Additionally, in their respective testimonies, Thomas and
Margaret Hayes each expressed disbelief that CR 3016 was a public road when they
purchased their property. Rather, their respective testimonies reflect that each considered
it a private easement benefiting their property purchased in 2005.
Dustin Stibbins testified that his parents purchased land along CR 3016 in 1995.
Stibbins further testified that he purchased the land from his mother after his father’s
death. Stibbins stated that he believed the road was only an easement owned by the
Hayeses, which they allowed him to use.
Analysis
Based on the foregoing, we conclude that there was more than a scintilla of
evidence to support the trial court’s implied finding that CR 3016 was impliedly
dedicated to the public prior to 1981. Herrington’s testimony that the road was built at
Goodman’s prompting as well as Herrington’s, Overton’s, and House’s testimonies that
the road had been continuously maintained by the county since the late 1940s amounted
to legally sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s judgment.
We next consider Appellants’ contention that the evidence is factually
insufficient. We have examined the entirety of the record, and we have considered and
weighed all of the evidence. Having done so, we have not determined that any evidence
tending to contradict the evidence supporting the trial court’s findings, such as the
testimony offered by Caveness, Whitehurst, the Hayeses, or Stibbins, is of such character
so as to cause us to conclude that the trial court’s judgment is clearly wrong and unjust.
Accordingly, we hold that the evidence is factually sufficient to support the trial court’s
judgment. Appellants’ first issue is overruled.
ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE
In their second issue, Appellants argue that the trial court erroneously admitted
into evidence the field notes prepared by County Surveyor Gene Russell. Appellants
objected at trial to exhibit 7, which comprised Russell’s field notes pertaining to CR
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3016. Specifically, Appellants objected to exhibit 7 because the County failed to disclose
in pretrial discovery the existence of Russell’s field notes.1
The County responds that the same evidence comprising exhibit 7 was also
contained in exhibit 8, which was a large plat showing CR 3016. The record indicates
that exhibit 8 was admitted without objection. Any error in admitting evidence is cured
when the same evidence comes in elsewhere without objection. Schwartz v. Forest
Pharms., Inc,. 127 S.W.3d 118, 124 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, pet. denied).
Here, because Appellants failed to object to the same evidence when it was offered as
part of exhibit 8, we hold that they waived the trial court’s error, if any, in its admission
of exhibit 7. Id. Appellants’ second issue is overruled.
DETERMINATION OF WIDTH OF CR 3016
In their fourth issue, Appellants contend that the trial court improperly determined
that the width of CR 3016 was fifty feet. The County responds that the testimony at trial
supported that a fifty foot road was necessary so that the road could be safely maintained.
Kenneth Dickson, County Commissioner for Precinct 3 of Anderson County,
Texas, testified that the minimum width of roads in Anderson County was set at fifty feet.
Dickson further testified that the rationale for this minimum width was to allow the
operators of the County’s maintenance equipment to maneuver off the roads so that cars
could pass by while maintenance was underway. Dickson stated that if the roads were
less than fifty feet wide, the County would have to disallow passage on a road in order to
clean the ditches.
Herrington testified that the road used to be thirty-five feet wide. Herrington
further stated that he had actually physically measured the width of the road. There was
no other testimony in the record setting forth the actual width of the road. We are bound
by the testimony in the record concerning the width of the road when it was dedicated.
The only evidence of the road’s width when it became public by an implied dedication
was the thirty-five foot width to which Herrington testified. When there is no evidence to
support a vital fact in the judgment, we must reverse that portion of the judgment. See
City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 810. As such, we hold that the trial court erred in its
finding that the width of CR 3016 was fifty feet. Appellants’ fourth issue is sustained.
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See TEX. R. CIV. P. 193.5, 193.6.
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DISPOSITION
Having sustained Appellants’ fourth issue, we reverse and render judgment that
the width of CR 3016 is thirty-five feet. The remainder of the trial court’s judgment is
affirmed. All pending motions are overruled as moot.
JAMES T. WORTHEN
Chief Justice
Opinion delivered May 28, 2010.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.
(PUBLISH)
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