Citizens For Safety And Clean Air v. City Of Clinton

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
August 7, 2013 Session
CITIZENS FOR SAFETY AND CLEAN AIR, WALT WARREN, PATRICIA
WARREN, CHARLES GOINS AND JUDY GOINS v. CITY OF CLINTON,
TENNESSEE, CLINTON MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION, AND
ROGERS GROUP, INC.
Appeal from the Chancery Court for Anderson County
No. 07CH7499 William E. Lantrip, Chancellor
No. E2012-02435-COA-R3-CV-FILED-OCTOBER 11, 2013
This appeal arises from a dispute over the zoning of a certain tract of land in Clinton,
Tennessee. Clinton annexed property (“the Property”) belonging to Rogers Group, Inc., and
assigned zoning classifications to the newly annexed tract. The group Citizens for Safety and
Clean Air, and individual local residents Walt Warren, Patricia Warren, Charles Goins, and
Judy Goins (“the Plaintiffs,”collectively)1 sued the City of Clinton, Tennessee, Clinton
Municipal Planning Commission, and Rogers Group (“the Defendants,” collectively) in the
Chancery Court for Anderson County (“the Trial Court”) seeking declaratory judgment. The
Plaintiffs, opposed to the prospective development of a quarry and asphalt plant on the
Property, challenged the heavy industrial zoning classification of a portion of the Property
on the basis that it was arbitrary and capricious; constituted illegal contract zoning; and,
constituted illegal spot zoning. Alternatively, the Plaintiffs sought to enforce the Master
Settlement Agreement (“the MSA”), an agreement settling an annexation dispute entered into
by Anderson County, Clinton, and Rogers Group. The Plaintiffs alleged they were third-
party beneficiaries to the MSA. The Trial Court found in favor of the Defendants on all
issues. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed;
Case Remanded
D. M ICHAEL S WINEY, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which J OHN W. M CC LARTY
and T HOMAS R. F RIERSON, II, JJ., joined.
1
Steve and Vicki Russell, parties to the original suit, are not now parties on appeal.
Gary A. Davis and James S. Whitlock, Asheville, North Carolina, for the appellants, Citizens
for Safety and Clean Air, Walt Warren, Patricia Warren, Charles Goins, and Judy Goins.
John T. Batson, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellees, City of Clinton, Tennessee and
Clinton Municipal Planning Commission.
Bruce D. Fox, Clinton, Tennessee; and, H. Wayne Phears, Atlanta, Georgia, for the appellee,
Rogers Group, Inc.
OPINION
Background
The Property, owned by Rogers Group, has had a long and contentious history
filled with zoning disputes. Located in Clinton, Tennessee, the Property consists of
approximately 100 acres. The local community is called Bethel. The Property, which
contains a large stone deposit, lies near the intersection of Interstate 75 and Highway 61.
There is a large open pit on the Property from previous mining on the site. A number of local
residents oppose the development of a quarry and asphalt plant on the Property. There is
much dispute in this case as to the precise character of the area. Generally, the land south
and east of the Property is residential and agricultural in nature. To the north of the Property
lies land used for commercial purposes. In the wider vicinity of the Property is a Wal-Mart,
Fox Toyota, and industrial parks.
Several years ago, Clinton proposed to annex the Property. Anderson County
objected. A legal challenge to the annexation commenced. Rogers Group, Anderson
County, and Clinton, major stakeholders in the annexation dispute, participated in mediation
to resolve the annexation and other matters among the parties to the MSA. The MSA
resulted from this process. Under the MSA, among other provisions, certain minimum
conditions were required to be satisfied if the Property were rezoned to allow for a quarry.
However, the final decision as to how the Property was to be zoned remained with Clinton.
The MSA was ratified. Anderson County dropped its objection to Clinton’s annexation of
the disputed tract, and the various lawsuits were dismissed.
The Property finally was annexed by Clinton in December 2006. The Clinton
Regional Planning Commission advised B-4 zoning for 300 feet of the Property along
Highway 61, and M-2 heavy industrial zoning for the rest of the Property. In August 2007,
a hearing was held before the Clinton City Council during which numerous concerned people
had their say regarding the proposed zoning. A record of the public hearing reflects that the
Council debated the zoning classifications. Subsequently, the Clinton City Council voted to
-2-
adopt the zoning ordinance on a second and final reading. The Property was zoned B-4, in
part, and M-2 heavy industrial, in part. The latter classification is the basis for the present
controversy.
The Plaintiffs, a non-profit corporation and concerned local citizens, opposed
the proposed development of a quarry and asphalt plant on the Property. In September 2007,
the Plaintiffs sued the Defendants in the Trial Court. The Plaintiffs challenged the heavy
industrial zoning classification of a portion of the Property on the basis that it was arbitrary
and capricious; constituted illegal contract zoning; and, constituted illegal spot zoning.
Alternatively, the Plaintiffs sought to enforce the MSA as they alleged that they were third-
party beneficiaries to this agreement.
This case was tried on May 30 and 31, June 1, and July 10 and 11, 2012. A
legion of witnesses testified. We will summarize the evidence only as relevant to the issues
on appeal. Many of the Plaintiffs’ witnesses testified to their opposition to a quarry and
asphalt plant being constructed on the Property. Also, certain witnesses testified to what they
regarded as disruptive activity carried on at other sites run by Rogers Group. In addition,
planning experts testified regarding factors that would have been reasonable for Clinton to
consider in zoning the Property, some of which were: the size and physical characteristics,
its location next to major transportation arteries, the need for materials produced by such a
site, and the site’s economic viability. Witnesses testified to the possible noise and nuisance
factors potentially associated with the operation of a quarry and asphalt plant on the Property.
However, as we later will explain, this question concerning specifically the operation of a
quarry and asphalt plant on the Property is not dispositive to our resolution of this appeal.
In October 2012, the Trial Court entered final judgment in favor of the
Defendants. The Trial Court incorporated its previously issued findings of fact and
conclusions of law, which we reproduce in part:
The property is especially suitable as a quarry because of its size, location with
respect to Interstate 75 and Highway 61, the existing pit from prior quarry
activity, and rock throughout the site near the surface at shallow depths making
it economically and commercially feasible to mine. Both planning experts
who testified for the parties were in substantial agreement with respect to
factors which it would be reasonable for Clinton to consider in zoning the
property. These factors included:
(A) location of the property at the intersection of Highway 61
and Interstate 75;
-3-
(B) the presence of industrial and commercial zoning in the area
both East and West of Interstate 75;
(C) the size of the parcel and its physical characteristics
including the large pit from prior quarry activity;
(D) suitability for other uses;
(E) the need for materials produced at the site;
(F) the resulting reduction of truck traffic through the City to
deliver product purchased by the City from other sites including
the increased costs paid by the City;
(G) the desire of the City to control any quarry operated at this
site;
(H) the economically viable use of this property considering the
limitation on extension of infrastructure on this site.
There exists within the City of Clinton no sound or noise ordinance
establishing any noise limits or restrictions.
***
While there were concerns and objections made during this trial from citizens
residing in the community and similar comments and concerns were expressed
to the Clinton City Council and Planning Commission, it remains the right and
authority of the City to consider and weigh the concerns and whether or not
they wanted to make the zoning classification. As the Court of Appeals noted
in Carter v. Adams 928 S.W.2d 39 “the local zoning authority knows the area
and parties best and determined that the need for a new landfill in the area
outweighed other factors at issue.” It would be improper and unlawful for me
to substitute my judgment for that of the Clinton City Council.
Because the Court is of the opinion that the reasons set forth in the
Findings of Fact are fairly debatable the Court is precluded from substituting
my judgment for that of the Clinton City Council. The decision to rezone the
property M-2 is upheld.
***
There was in this instance no bilateral negotiation between Clinton and Rogers
resulting in an agreement to rezone the property M-2. Here the MSA explicitly
leaves the zoning classification to Clinton and only sets minimum conditions
if industrial zoning is granted. It does not limit Clinton’s power to decide the
-4-
appropriate zoning classifications and conditions. Clinton retained and
exercises its discretion and authority to act in behalf of the public. The Court
concludes that Clinton was free to impose whatever zoning classification it
chose, and that there was no bilateral agreement to zone the Rogers property
M-2. The Court therefore denies plaintiffs claim of illegal [contract] zoning.
***
Clinton had a rational basis to rezone this tract M-2 even if the Court would
have concluded that there was no other criteria to justify this zoning
classification. The Court therefore concludes that the plaintiffs’ complaint
alleging illegal spot zoning must fail.
(Format modified). The Trial Court also issued supplemental findings of fact and
conclusions of law with respect to the issue of third-party beneficiaries, stating in part:
The residents whose property was located near Rogers tract were clearly
considered by Anderson County during negotiations with Rogers Group
representatives and the City of Clinton. Anderson County sought restrictions
on Rogers operations as discussed in the Courts previous findings. These
restrictions would benefit the members of the Bethel Community including
Plaintiffs and many other citizens of the county. The Plaintiffs are not parties
to the [MSA] nor did they participate in any negotiations. There was no
testimony in the record presented by any witness that any of the Plaintiffs were
considered to be or intended to be beneficiaries of the Agreement. The
Plaintiffs opposed approval of the [MSA]. No witness of the parties to the
[MSA] testified that they intended for any of the Plaintiffs to be beneficiaries
of the contract and to be able to enforce the provisions of the [MSA]. The
[MSA] by its express terms is binding only upon the parties, their successors
or assigns. There exists no mention in the agreement that any rights of
enforcement exist for any third party. Section 61 of the [MSA] expressly
restricts assignment unless there is written consent.
***
There was an absence of proof that the parties to the [MSA] ever intended that
a vaguely defined and large group of citizens including the Plaintiffs were ever
intended to be third party beneficiaries. Plaintiffs were required to show
specific intent to grant individual citizens individual enforceable rights.
-5-
Plaintiffs failed to carry their burden of proof and the Court finds that they are
not third party beneficiaries of the [MSA] entitled to enforce its terms.
(Format modified). The Plaintiffs timely appealed to this Court.
Discussion
Though not stated exactly as such, the Plaintiffs raise four issues on appeal: 1)
whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the zoning of the Property was not arbitrary or
capricious; 2) whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the MSA did not constitute illegal
contract zoning; 3) whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the zoning of the Property
did not constitute illegal spot zoning; and, 4) whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the
Plaintiffs are not third-party beneficiaries of the MSA.
Our review is de novo upon the record, accompanied by a presumption of
correctness of the findings of fact of the trial court, unless the preponderance of the evidence
is otherwise. Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d); Bogan v. Bogan, 60 S.W.3d 721, 727 (Tenn. 2001).
A trial court's conclusions of law are subject to a de novo review with no presumption of
correctness. S. Constructors, Inc. v. Loudon County Bd. of Educ., 58 S.W.3d 706, 710 (Tenn.
2001).
We first address whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the zoning of the
Property was not arbitrary or capricious. Our Supreme Court has stated:
When a municipal governing body acts under its delegated police powers
either to adopt or amend a zoning ordinance, it acts in a legislative capacity
and the scope of judicial review of such action is quite restricted. Davidson
County v. Rogers, 184 Tenn. 327, 198 S.W.2d 812 (1947); Mobile Home City
of Chattanooga v. Hamilton County, supra; Barret v. Shelby County,
Tenn.App., 619 S.W.2d 390 (1981).
“Legislative classification in a zoning law, ordinance or
resolution is valid if any possible reason can be conceived to
justify it.” State ex rel. SCA Chemical Waste Services, Inc. v.
Konigsberg, Tenn., 636 S.W.2d 430, 437 (1982).
The restricted role of the courts in reviewing the validity of a zoning ordinance
or regulation has been aptly stated as follows:
-6-
“Zoning is a legislative matter, and, as a general proposition, the
exercise of the zoning power should not be subjected to judicial
interference unless clearly necessary. In enacting or amending
zoning legislation, the local authorities are vested with broad
discretion and, in cases where the validity of a zoning ordinance
is fairly debatable, the court cannot substitute its judgment for
that of the legislative authority. If there is a rational or
justifiable basis for the enactment and it does not violate any
state statute or positive constitutional guaranty, the wisdom of
the zoning regulation is a matter exclusively for legislative
determination.
“In accordance with these principles, it has been stated that the
courts should not interfere with the exercise of the zoning power
and hold a zoning enactment invalid, unless the enactment, in
whole or in relation to any particular property, is shown to be
clearly arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable, having no
substantial relation to the public health, safety, or welfare, or is
plainly contrary to the zoning laws.” 82 Am.Jur.2d Zoning and
Planning § 338 (1976) at 913–14.
Fallin v. Knox County Bd. of Comm’rs, 656 S.W.2d 338, 342-43 (Tenn. 1983). Given this
standard, “[o]ur review of such legislative action is very limited.” Fielding v. Metro. Gov’t
of Lynchburg, Moore County, No. M2011-00417-COA-R3-CV, 2012 WL 327908, at *2
(Tenn. Ct. App. Jan. 31, 2012), no appl. perm. appeal filed.
The Plaintiffs contend that, should the Trial Court be upheld, the residents in
the vicinity of the Property would be detrimentally impacted by the operation of a quarry and
asphalt plant in their community. They argue that such an operation would violate the
applicable local law. Under Clinton Zoning Ordinance §14-609 (3), the relevant subsection
for this appeal, the following uses are allowed under the M-2 heavy industrial zoning
classification: “Any industry which does not cause injurious or obnoxious noise, odors, fire
hazards, or other objectionable conditions as determined by the building official.
Slaughterhouses, sawmill uses, and jails shall automatically be considered as non-allowed
uses.”
The Plaintiffs argue that the proposed quarry and asphalt plant would run afoul
of this provision. Much testimony was introduced at trial concerning the alleged infractions
of Rogers Group operations elsewhere. This case, however, is not about whether the
proposed Rogers Group quarry and asphalt plant is a permitted use under the zoning
-7-
ordinance and classification. This case, as reflected in the issues raised by the Plaintiffs on
appeal, is about the zoning of the Property and not about a particular possible future use of
the property. As outlined above, the standard for judicial review of this type of legislation
action is quite limited.
With this deferential standard as our guide, we look to the Property and the
reasoning that could support Clinton’s move to zone it M-2 heavy industrial. The Property’s
location next to major transportation arteries, the Property’s natural attributes, and the
economic necessity of the materials that could be extracted from the Property all contribute
to sustain a rational basis for zoning the Property M-2. The wider vicinity of the Property
is commercial and industrial, and an M-2 designation cannot be deemed to be utterly
inconsistent with the character of the area. The Property contains a valuable source of stone,
and, indeed, previously has been the site of a quarry. It is reasonable that Clinton would wish
to zone this tract such as to benefit from its economic potential in this respect. We, as did
the Trial Court, find that Clinton had ample rational basis to render the zoning classifications
of the Property that it did.
We hold that the decision of Clinton to zone the Property as it did withstands
judicial review under the restricted standard of review in these cases. We cannot per se find
that a quarry or asphalt plant could or could not operate on the Property consistent with the
M-2 zoning classification. The relevant zoning ordinance provides wide latitude: “Any
industry which does not cause injurious or obnoxious noise, odors, fire hazards, or other
objectionable conditions as determined by the building official.” Furthermore, a quarry and
asphalt plant is not among the explicitly prohibited uses under the classification. More
importantly, the only issue before the Trial Court, and now before this Court, was whether
to uphold the decision of Clinton to zone the Property as it did. The question of whether a
particular use of the Property such as for a rock quarry and asphalt plant would be
permissible under the M-2 zoning classification was not a question properly before the Trial
Court in this case or now before this Court. Clinton’s decision to zone part of the Property
M-2 was neither arbitrary, capricious, or illegal. We affirm the Trial Court as to this issue.
We next address whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the MSA did not
constitute illegal contract zoning. This Court has discussed illegal contract zoning:
The Appellant relies upon the cases of City of Knoxville v. Ambrister,
196 Tenn. 1, 263 S.W.2d 528 (1953) and Haymon v. City of Chattanooga, 513
S.W.2d 185 (Tenn. App. 1973) as supportive of her contention that contract
zoning is not permissible in this jurisdiction. The Ambrister case arose when
the City of Knoxville sought to enforce an agreement it made with a land
developer. The city rezoned single dwelling residential property so a multiple
-8-
dwelling unit could be built. In consideration for the rezoning, the property
owner promised to dedicate part of the rezoned land to the city sometime in the
future. The dedicated property was to be used as a public park. The property
owner reneged on his promise to dedicate. The city filed suit to enforce the
agreement. The supreme court held this was an example of contract zoning
and could not be enforced.
In Haymon the property owners agreed to execute a 25-year covenant
to run with the land to maintain a 200-foot buffer zone of vacant property
between their apartment buildings and adjoining land, which was given in
exchange for rezoning. The court of appeals said this amounted to contract
zoning which is contrary to public policy and illegal in Tennessee. It stated:
The same rule with respect to the validity of contracts to influence
zoning seems to prevail in numerous other jurisdictions, the consensus being
that contracts entered into in consideration of concessions made favoring the
applicant are frowned upon as against public policy [because] zoning is an
instrument of public authority to be used only for the common welfare of all
the people.
p. 188.
Conversely, in a footnote to the decision, the court also stated:
Nothing in this opinion is to be construed as holding that a planning
commission without a covenant cannot prescribe reasonable conditions for the
benefit of the general public.
p. 188, n. 1.
It is the use of governmental power as a bargaining chip that the
Ambrister and Haymon courts criticized as the unsavory aspect of contract
zoning. When a government negotiates in this manner it agrees to limit its
right and duty to act on behalf of the public. Rezoning is approved, not based
upon the merit of the zone change request nor because it is in the public
interest, but because a deal has been struck.
On the other hand, the mere unilateral imposition of conditions for
public benefit is quite different. In contract zoning the government entity
sacrifices its authority. In conditional zoning it exercises it. By imposing
-9-
conditions under which Homestead's property could be rezoned, Chattanooga
did not bargain away its authority, but rather exercised it for public safety
reasons.
Benton v. City of Chattanooga, 1988 WL 74608, at **2-3 (Tenn. Ct. App. July 20, 1988), no
appl. perm. appeal filed. Contract zoning involves “bilateral negotiations . . . resulting in an
agreement . . . .” O’Dell v. Bd. of Com’rs of Johnson City, 910 S.W.2d 436, 440 (Tenn. Ct.
App. 1995).
The Plaintiffs argue: “Ultimately, Clinton’s rezoning of the Rogers property
constitutes illegal contract zoning because the City of Clinton utilized its governmental
power as a bargaining chip and approved the rezoning, not because it was in the public
interest, but because of the trilateral concessions contained in the MSA.” In support of this
argument, the Plaintiffs point to numerous promises made by Rogers Group in the MSA:
donation of land to Clinton for use as a fire hall; donation of asphalt to Anderson County;
and, dismissal with prejudice of Rogers Group’s rezoning and takings suit against Anderson
County.
The evidence does not preponderate against the Trial Court’s finding relevant
to this or any other issue before us on appeal. Our careful review of the evidence, including
the MSA, reveals that Clinton never bargained away its authority to zone the Property as it
saw fit. The MSA addresses conditions for a how a quarry would be operated, but ultimately,
Clinton retained the authority to make the zoning determination. The MSA was a settlement
to end, primarily, an annexation suit. There are no quid pro quos concerning Clinton’s
authority to make the zoning determination contained in the MSA, and the Plaintiffs
acknowledge that the MSA does not explicitly require Clinton to zone the Property M-2. We,
as did the Trial Court, find nothing in the evidence, including the MSA, that requires,
explicitly or otherwise, Clinton to make a M-2 zoning determination. We decline to find that
a requirement to zone M-2 somehow was implicit in the MSA. We affirm the Trial Court
as to this issue.
We next address whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the zoning of the
Property did not constitute illegal spot zoning. We have described what constitutes illegal
spot zoning:
In Phillips v. Tenn. Dep't of Transp., No. M2006-00912-COA-R3-CV, 2007
WL 1237695 (Tenn. Ct. App. M.S., April 26, 2007), this court summarized the
Tennessee cases discussing spot zoning:
-10-
Spot zoning is the “process of singling out [a] small parcel of
land for use classification totally different from that of [the]
surrounding area, for [the] benefit of an owner of such property
and to [the] detriment of other owners, and, as such, is [the] very
antithesis of planned zoning.”
Id. at *4 (citations omitted). Spot zoning is further discussed as follows in 83
Am.Jur.2d Zoning and Planning § 110 (2008):
In order to constitute “illegal spot zoning,” a zoning ordinance:
(1) must pertain to a single parcel or a limited area, ordinarily
for the benefit of a particular property owner or specially
interested party; and (2) must be inconsistent with the city's
comprehensive plan, or if there is none, with the character and
zoning of the surrounding area, or the purposes of zoning
regulation, i.e., the public health, safety, and general welfare. In
addressing a claim of improper spot zoning, the most important
factor is whether the rezoned land is being treated unjustifiably
different from the similar surrounding land, thereby creating an
island having no relevant differences from its neighboring
property.
Id. (citations omitted).
Quoc Tu Pham v. City of Chattanooga, No. E2008-02410-COA-R3-CV, 2009 WL 2144127,
at *3 (Tenn. Ct. App. July 20, 2009), no appl. perm. appeal filed.
As we already have discussed more extensively in this Opinion, there was
ample rational basis for Clinton’s decision to zone the Property the way it did. The Property
has a number of special characteristics rendering it suitable for M-2 heavy industrial
classification. Furthermore, the tract at issue here is over 100 acres in size. This is not a case
of singling out a small parcel of land for a use totally inconsistent with its surroundings.
Given the rational foundation for Clinton’s decision to zone the Property M-2 and the
absence of evidence that the zoning was done simply to benefit the property owner, we find
no basis that this zoning constitutes illegal spot zoning. We affirm the Trial Court as to this
issue.
Finally, we address whether the Trial Court erred in finding that the Plaintiffs
are not third-party beneficiaries of the MSA. “Generally, contracts are presumed to be
‘executed for the benefit of the parties thereto and not third persons.’” Owner-Operator
-11-
Independent Drivers Ass’n, Inc. v. Concord EFS, Inc., 59 S.W.3d 63, 68 (Tenn. 2001)
(quoting Oman Constr. Co. v. Tennessee Cent. Ry. Co., 212 Tenn. 556, 370 S.W.2d 563, 572
(1963)). Our Supreme Court has stated:
As the Court pointed out in Owner–Operator Independent Drivers Association
v. Concord EFS, Inc., 59 S.W.3d 63 (Tenn. 2001), a third party is an intended
third-party beneficiary of a contract, and thus entitled to enforce the terms of
a contract, where (1) the parties to the contract have not otherwise agreed, (2)
recognition of the third-party's right to performance is appropriate to effectuate
the parties' intent, and (3) terms or circumstances indicate that performance of
the promise is intended or will satisfy an obligation owed by the promisee to
the third party. Id. at 70.
Benton v. Vanderbilt University, 137 S.W.3d 614, 618 (Tenn. 2004).
Additionally, we have stated:
A contract entered into by a governmental entity requires a showing that the
contract was intended by the parties to confer a direct obligation to identifiable
third-party entities. Every contract into which a governmental entity enters is
made for the benefit of all its citizens. Only when such a contract manifests a
specific intent to grant individual citizens enforceable rights thereunder may
a citizen claim such rights as a third-party beneficiary.
Coburn v. City of Dyersburg, 774 S.W.2d 610, 612 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1989).
The Plaintiffs contend, among other things, that “the terms of the contract
indicate that performance of the MSA, i.e., compliance with these operational conditions,
will satisfy an obligation owed by Rogers to residents of the Bethel Community, and that
Rogers intended to give residents of the Bethel Community the benefit of this performance.”
Sections 20 through 44 of the MSA provide for certain conditions for mitigating the effect
of any new zoning, including Section 39 which provides: “Rogers shall only construct an
asphalt plant incorporating state-of-the-art technology designed to minimize noise, odor,
vibration, shock, dust and harmful substances.”
The Plaintiffs were not parties to the MSA. Indeed, the Plaintiffs opposed
approval of the MSA. There is no recognition in the MSA or otherwise that the Plaintiffs’
right to demand performance would be appropriate to effectuate the parties’ intent.
Likewise, there is nothing in the record to support a finding that Rogers’ performance of its
obligations under the MSA was intended to or will satisfy any obligation owed by Rogers to
-12-
the Plaintiffs. The law on third-party beneficiary status is such that intent to confer such
rights must be clear, particularly where governments are actors. There is no such clear intent
present in the MSA. We hold that the Trial Court did not err when it found that the Plaintiffs
failed to demonstrate the requisite intent that the MSA ever was meant to grant enforceable
rights to particular citizens. We affirm the Trial Court on this and all issues.
Conclusion
The judgment of the Trial Court is affirmed, and this cause is remanded to the
Trial Court for collection of the costs below. The costs on appeal are assessed against the
Appellants, Citizens for Safety and Clean Air, Walt Warren, Patricia Warren, Charles Goins,
and Judy Goins, and their surety, if any.
_________________________________
D. MICHAEL SWINEY, JUDGE
-13-