Charles N. Draper v. Greg Guernsey, in His Official Capacity as Director of Planning and Development Watershed Protection Review Department And City of Austin

ACCEPTED
03-15-00741-CV
8359935
THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
12/23/2015 12:27:59 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
CLERK
NO. 03-15-00741-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FILED IN
3rd COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS AUSTIN, TEXAS
AT AUSTIN, TEXAS 12/23/2015 12:27:59 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
Clerk
CHARLES N. DRAPER,
Appellant, Pro Se,
V.
GREG GUERNSEY IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS DIRECTOR OF
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WATERSHED PROTECTION REVIEW
DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF AUSTIN,
Appellees.
ON APPEAL FROM THE 419TH DISTRICT COURT OF
TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS
CAUSE NO. D-1-GN-13-000778
APPELLEES’ MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
OPPOSED MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE BRIEF
ANNE L. MORGAN, CITY ATTORNEY
MEGHAN L. RILEY, CHIEF, LITIGATION
ANDRALEE CAIN LLOYD
State Bar No. 24071577
Andralee.Lloyd@austintexas.gov
City of Austin – Law Department
P. O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767-1088
Telephone: (512) 974-2918
Facsimile: (512) 974-1311
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT - APPELLEE
TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THIS COURT:
1. Appellees-Defendants Greg Guernsey and City of Austin
(collectively, the “City”) respectfully requests that this appeal be dismissed for
want of jurisdiction as Appellant-Plaintiff (“Mr. Draper”) is seeking review of the
denial of his No-Evidence Motion for Summary Judgment—which does not
constitute a final order. Appellant’s Brief, p. 6 (“Permission to Appeal”). In the
alternative, the City requests a 30-day extension of time to file their brief.
I.
BACKGROUND
2. On October 15, 2015, Mr. Draper filed a No Evidence Motion for
Summary Judgment (“Motion” or “MSJ”) with the 419th Judicial District Court in
Travis County, Texas. Appellant’s Brief, pp. 25-33 (“Plaintiff’s No Evidence
Motion for Summary Judgment”). Mr. Draper’s MSJ sought vested rights under
Chapter 245 of the Texas Local Government Code (“Chapter 245”) to develop
property at 6300-02 Highway 290 under regulations in effect on the date of an
expired permit issued by Travis County on August 9, 1985, and/or a plat recorded
in 1872. See Appellant’s Brief, pp. 25-33. Chapter 245 provides that all permits
required to complete a development project are “locked-in” to the regulations in
effect on the date that the first permit application for the project was submitted.
Mr. Draper also sought damages for allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation,
perjury, breach of contract, preventing the execution of civil process, and
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 2 OF 10
administrative failure to comply with Chapters 43.002, 245 and 312.005 of the
Texas Local Government Code in connection with the denial of Mr. Draper’s
vested rights application and the handling of the current lawsuit. See Appellant’s
Brief, pp. 25-33. Mr. Draper’s Motion sought damages in the amount of ten
million, six hundred and ten thousand dollars ($10,610,000.00). Appellant’s Brief,
pp. 30 (“Damages”).
3. On November 3, 2015, the City timely filed its response to Mr.
Draper’s MSJ. Appellant’s Brief, pp. 34-46. The City requested that Mr. Draper’s
Motion be denied because his claims lack evidentiary basis and are contrary to well
established law. Appellant’s Brief, pp. 34-46. The Rights conferred by Chapter 245
are not so broad that any permit application filed for development of a property is
sufficient to exempt it from current regulations in perpetuity. Appellant’s Brief, pp.
37-41. Instead, a landowner can only establish vested rights from an agency’s
regulations if he filed a permit application with that same agency. Appellant’s
Brief, pp. 37-39; see also Shumaker Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Austin, 325 S.W.3d
812, 815 (Tex. App.—Austin 2010, no pet.). Furthermore, a permit is not entitled
to vested rights if the original project has changed or been completed. Appellant’s
Brief, pp. 39-41. Finally, the City argued that Mr. Draper’s other causes of action
were inappropriate and should be denied. Appellant’s Brief, pp. 42-45.
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 3 OF 10
4. The City also filed a Motion to Strike Mr. Draper’s Summary
Judgment Evidence (“Motion to Strike”) on the basis of hearsay under Texas Rules
of Evidence 801 and 802. Appellant’s Brief, pp. 45 (“Defendants’ Motion to Strike
Plaintiff’s Evidence”). The exhibits were not authenticated, but were offered to
prove the truth of the matter asserted, constituting inadmissible hearsay.
Appellant’s Brief, pp. 45 (“Defendants’ Motion to Strike Plaintiff’s Evidence”).
5. Following a hearing on Mr. Draper’s Motion and the City’s Motion to
Strike, the district court signed an order denying the City’s Motion to Strike and
Mr. Drapers MSJ on November 12, 2015, stating in pertinent part:
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED
that Plaintiff’s No-Evidence Motion for Summary Judgment
(construed by the Court as a Plaintiff’s Traditional Motion for
Summary Judgment) is DENIED.
Exhibit A; see also Appellant’s Brief, p. 48.
6. Mr. Draper filed a notice of appeal from this order on
November 20, 2015. Appellant’s Brief, pp. 111-114 (“Plaintiff’s Notice of
Appeal Interlocutory Orders”).
II.
MOTION TO DISMISS
7. An appeal generally may be taken only from a final judgment.
Lehmann v. Har-Con Corp., 39 S.W.3d 191, 195 (Tex. 2001). With certain
exception not applicable here, a judgment is final for purposes of appeal if it
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 4 OF 10
disposes of all pending parties and claims in the record. Id. A court must look to
the language and record in the case to determine whether a judgment is final. Id.
When there has not been a conventional trial on the merits, an order or judgment is
not final for purposes of appeal “unless it actually disposes of every pending claim
and party or unless it clearly and unequivocally states that it finally disposes of all
claims and parties.” Id. at 205.
8. In the present case, the order being appealed did not dispose of any
claims or any parties. Exhibit A; see also Appellant’s Brief, p. 48. The order only
denied Mr. Drapers MSJ. Exhibit A; see also Appellant’s Brief, p. 48. “An order
denying summary judgment is generally not appealable because it is not a final
judgment.” Broesche v. Jacobson, 218 S.W.3d 267, 274 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] 2007, pet. denied).
9. An order that does not dispose of all parties and all issues in the case
must be classified, for purposes of appeal, as an unappeasable interlocutory order.
Ruiz v. Ruiz, 946 S.W.2d 123, 124 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1997, no writ). Without
affirmative statutory authority to hear an interlocutory appeal, this Court lacks
jurisdiction. Id. Mr. Draper has cited to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §
51.014(d)(1) and Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 168 as the statutory authority
granting jurisdiction. Appellant’s Brief, p. 6 (“Permission to Appeal”). These
statutes, however, do not apply to this case.
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 5 OF 10
10. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 51.014(d), provides for an
accelerated interlocutory appeal in limited situations:
On a party’s motion or on its own initiative, a trial court in a civil
action may, by written order, permit an appeal from an order that is
not otherwise appealable if: (1) The order to be appealed involves a
controlling question of law as to which there is a substantial ground
for difference of opinion; and (2) an immediate appeal from the order
may materially advance the litigation.
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 51.014(d). Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
provides further guidance on this type of appeal:
On a party’s motion or on its own initiative, a trial court may permit
an appeal from an interlocutory order that is not otherwise appealable,
as provided by statute. Permission must be stated in the order to be
appealed. An order previously issued may be amended to include such
permission. The permission must identify the controlling question of
law as to which there is a substantial ground for difference of opinion,
and must state why an immediate appeal may materially advance the
ultimate termination of the litigation.
TEX. R. CIV. PROC. 168.
11. This type of appeal is a discretionary interlocutory appeal that is only
available if the trial court first makes a substantive ruling on the controlling issue
of law being appealed. In re Estate of Fisher, 421 S.W.3d 682, 684-85 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana 2014, no pet.) (interlocutory appeal was unavailable because the
controlling issue was a fact issue, not a legal one). The purpose of the permissive
interlocutory appeal statute is to “allow the trial court to certify a question for
appeal when [it] rules on an issue that is pivotal in a case about which there is
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 6 OF 10
legitimate disagreement.” Gulley v. State Farm Lloyds, 350 S.W.3d 204, 207-08
(Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, no pet.) (discussing legislative history). If a trial
court permits an interlocutory appeal under Section 51.014(d), it should issue an
order that rules on a substantive issue of law and that clearly states the controlling
question of law for which permission to appeal is granted. TEX. R. CIV. PROC. 168;
see also In re Estate of Fisher, 421 S.W.3d at 684-85. The trial court’s order
should certify that the other statutory requirements are met, including whether an
immediate appeal may materially advance the ultimate resolution of the case. TEX.
R. CIV. PROC. 168; see also Gulley, 350 S.W.3d at 206. Mr. Draper has not
received an order from the trial court granting permission to file a permissive
interlocutory appeal and certifying the controlling question of law for which
permission to appeal is granted. Thus, this appeal is not properly before the Court.
12. Further, Mr. Draper’s appeal is not seeking the resolution of “a
“controlling question of law” which “may materially advance the ultimate
termination of the litigation” for which “substantial grounds for difference of
opinion” exists. Mr. Draper’s appeal asks the Court to become a fact finder and
apply the facts of his case to the controlling law. See Appellant’s Brief, pp. 9-11.
13. Since there is not a final and appealable order, this appeal must be
dismissed for want of jurisdiction. See TEX. R. APP. P. 42.3(a), 43.2(f).
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 7 OF 10
III.
ALTERNATIVELY,
REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION OF TIME
14. In the alternative, should the Court decide to retain Mr. Draper’s
appeal, the City respectfully asks the Court for a 30-day extension of time to file
the Brief of Appellee which is currently due on January 5, 2016. Appellee seeks a
30-day extension to February 4, 2016. Mr. Draper has stated that he does oppose
this motion.
15. The City has not previously requested an extension of time to file a
brief in this case.
16. The City would show that an extension of time is necessary because
counsel’s case load and work requirements have been extremely heavy since the
filing of the Clerk’s record on December 2, 2015. Further, counsel has had
vacation plans for the holidays scheduled since prior to Mr. Draper filing his
appeal. Accordingly, the City’s counsel requires additional time to prepare
Appellee’s Brief and therefore requests a 30-day extension.
17. If the City’s request is granted the deadline for filing its’ brief will be
moved from January 5, 2016, to February 4, 2016.
18. This request is not made for the purpose of delay, but so that justice
may be done, and the issues adequately and fully briefed for this Court.
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 8 OF 10
IV.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, Appellees-Defendants, respectfully request the Court
dismiss this case for want of jurisdiction, or, in the alternative, grant an extension
of time to file its brief until February 4, 2016.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
ANNE L. MORGAN, CITY ATTORNEY
MEGHAN L. RILEY, CHIEF, LITIGATION
/s/ Andralee Cain Lloyd______
ANDRALEE CAIN LLOYD
State Bar No. 24071577
Andralee.Lloyd@austintexas.gov
City of Austin – Law Department
P. O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767-1088
Telephone: (512) 974-2918
Facsimile: (512) 974-1311
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT - APPELLEE
CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE
I certify that on Wednesday the 23rd day of December 2015, I spoke with
Charles Draper, Appellant – Pro Se, regarding this motion. Mr. Draper stated that
he does oppose this motion.
/s/ Andralee Lloyd
ANDRALEE LLOYD
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 9 OF 10
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of foregoing instrument has been
served via First Class Mail and CMRRR 91 7199 9991 7036 2336 6521, on this
the 23rd day of December, 2015, to the following:
Charles N. Draper
160 Maeves Way
Austin, Texas 78737
(512) 699-2199
cd@tejasland.com
/s/ Andralee Lloyd
ANDRALEE LLOYD
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE,
MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE BRIEF OF APPELLEE PAGE 10 OF 10
EXHIBIT A