Petition
for Writ of Certiorari to Review Quasi-Judicial Action: Agencies, Boards, and
Commissions of Local Government: ZONING – Variance – flexible development
application – stringent variance criteria did not apply to flexible development
application, as permitted by City’s Code, that sought reductions in minimum
setbacks and increase in height of building – Petitioners must challenge
consistency of Development Order with local comprehensive plan as an original
action in circuit court – record supported City’s conclusion that development
application complied with City’s Code - Court cannot substitute its judgment
for that of the City – Petition denied. Weiland v. City of Clearwater, Appeal No. 05-0095AP-88B (Fla. 6th
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOUGLAS J. WEILAND and
ELIZABETH C. SIRNA,
Petitioners,
vs. Appeal No.05-0095AP-88B
UCN522005AP000095XXXXCV
CITY OF
SPINECARE PROPERTIES, LLC,
Respondents.
____________________________________/
THIS CAUSE came before the Court on the Petition for Writ of Certiorari, the Response and the Reply. Upon consideration of the same and being otherwise fully advised, the Court finds that the Petition must be denied as set forth below.
The Petitioners, adjacent land owners west of the proposed development, seek certiorari review of the Final Order, entered October 31, 2005, by Administrative Law Judge, T. Kent Wetherell, II.[1] In a thorough and detailed 25-page order, Judge Wetherell affirmed the decision of the City’s Community Development Board (Board) to approve the flexible development application of Spinecare Properties, LLC (Spinecare),[2] subject to the following conditions:
1. the conditions set forth in the Development Order;
2. the City Council’s approval of the related annexation, FLUM change, rezoning, and
Development Agreement; and
3. a requirement that Spinecare construct and maintain a wall or fence of at least three
feet in height, which is landscaped on the external side with a continuous hedge or non-
deciduous vine, along the west property line.
With the exception of finding that the Board departed from the essential requirements of law in finding that a wall or fence wasn’t required along the west property line, as mandated by Code Section 2-204.C.3., Judge Wetherwell otherwise found that the Board’s Level Two approval of Spinecare’s flexible development application was lawful and supported by competent substantial evidence.
The underlying application was filed by Spinecare as a “comprehensive infill redevelopment project,” per Code Section 2-1204.A.1.-8.,[3] seeking approval to develop a 4.5 acre parcel of land into a 2-story, 45,000 square foot medical clinic with non-residential off-street parking. At the time of filing the application, the property consisted of 13 “low-income” apartments in two, one-story buildings. The project required Level Two approval because it proposed reductions in the minimum setbacks and an increase in the maximum height specified in the Code and because the parking lot will be zoned Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) under the provisions of Code Section 2-204.C.
Specifically, as set forth in the Development Order, Spinecare sought: a reduction to the front (west) setback from 25 feet to 15 feet to pavement; a reduction to the side (south) setback from 10 feet to 4 feet for parking, and; an increase in building height from 30 feet to 35 feet for top of parapet and to 43 feet for an elevator/stair tower. The proposed building would be located 40 feet from the front (east) property line along McMullen Booth Road, 52 feet from the side (north) property line, 70 feet from the side (south) property line and 545 feet from the rear (west) property line. In granting the application, the Board imposed 16 enumerated conditions, including that the City’s Staff must approve the final design and color of the building and that all requirements of the Fire and Traffic Departments must be met prior to issuing any permits.
In addition to the
flexible development application, Spinecare filed an application to annex 0.358
acres of the property along
Before
this Court, the Petitioners argue that the City departed from the essential
requirements of law in its actions below and that the Board’s findings and
judgment are not supported by competent substantial evidence. Initially, the Court reiterates that the appropriate
standard of review: the Court must
consider whether the Petitioners were afforded procedural due process, whether
the essential requirements of law were observed and whether the Final Order and
Development Order are supported by competent substantial evidence. See Haines City
Community Development v. Heggs, 658 So.2d 523, 530 (
In determining whether the City observed the essential requirements of law, the Court must consider whether an error occurred and, if so, whether such error resulted in a gross miscarriage of justice. See Haines, 658 So.2d at 527; see also Housing Authority of the City of Tampa v. Burton, 874 So.2d 6, 8 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004)(explaining that in determining whether there has been a departure from the essential requirements of law, the appellate court “should not be as concerned with the mere existence of legal error as much as with the seriousness of the error”).
In evaluating last prong of review,
competent substantial evidence has been described as evidence that is
“sufficiently relevant and material that a reasonable mind would accept it as
adequate to support the conclusion reached.”
See Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles v. Trimble,
821 So.2d 1084, 1087 (
The issue before this court is not whether the agency’s decision is the “best” decision or the “right” decision or even a “wise” decision, for these are technical and policy-based determinations properly within the purview of the agency. The circuit court has no training or experience – and is inherently unsuited – to sit as a roving “super agency” with plenary oversight of such matters.
First, the
Petitioners argue that the Board’s decision is contrary to the goals and
objectives of the FLUM and departs from the essential requirements of law. The Court finds that the Petitioners cannot
challenge the consistency of the Development Order with the local comprehensive
plan in this certiorari action. See
Parker v.
However, whether the proposed development is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood was considered by the Board pursuant to Section 3-913.A.1.-6., as well as Sections 2-204 and 2-1204, thus bringing the matter under the Court’s certiorari review. The Petitioners’ arguments focus on the proposed parking lot. As stated in the Reply Brief, the “Petitioners’ compatibility argument is not that the eastern portion of the property for a medical facility is incompatible, but that the large parking lot extending far to the west is incompatible with the single-family homes that surround it” as the parking lot will create excessive noise, smell, and lights.
Neither party disputes Judge Wetherell’s finding that the Board departed from the essential requirements of law by not requiring Spinecare to construct a wall or fence at least 3 feet in height along the western property line as required by Section 2-204.C.3., in a LMDR zoning. Otherwise, the record shows that the parking lot complies with Code requirements for flexible development approval. As set forth in the Staff Report, the residential uses to the west will be buffered from the parking lot by approximately 160 feet in which a retention pond will be located. There will also be several trees to the west of the parking lot. The residential uses to the north and south will be buffered by solid fencing and walls six feet in height. The record shows that the parking lot lights must be turned off at 9:00 p.m.
Additionally, as recognized by one Board member, from a safety standpoint, a well-lit, open parking lot in place of the existing “blighted” apartment complex in which one neighbor testified the police had to be called severable times, is a preferable use of the property. In considering the restrictions imposed, the current use of the property, and surrounding property uses, the Court finds that the Board did not depart from the essential requirements of law in approving the proposed development.
The
Petitioners next argue that the Board’s findings and judgment are not supported
by competent substantial evidence. The
Petitioners argue that Mark T. Parry, the City’s Consulting Planner who
prepared the Staff Report, was not qualified to testify at the hearing as an
expert because he failed to submit a resume as required by Code Section
4-206. The Court finds that the Petitioners
waived that argument as no objection was made during the proceedings
below. See Clear Channel
Communications, Inc. v. City of
The Petitioners
assert that the evidence presented to the Board shows that there is competent
substantial evidence to support the Petitioners’ position that the proposed
development will overdevelop the property and is inconsistent with the
surrounding residential community. This
Court’s review is constrained to determine simply whether the Board’s decision
is supported by competent substantial evidence.
See Florida Power &
Light Company v. City of
The record shows
that the Board considered an in-depth Staff Report which evaluated each of the
applicable code criteria. The record
also shows that the proposed medical facility will be located on the east side
of the property, adjacent to
The Board further considered testimony from neighboring property owners, both those for the project and against it. Notably, neither Mr. Parry nor any witness in favor of the project was cross-examined by the Petitioners. The Court concludes that the evidence and testimony presented to the Board is “sufficiently relevant and material that a reasonable mind would accept it as adequate to support the conclusion reached.” See Trimble, 821 So.2d at 1087. Hence, the Petitioners’ request for certiorari relief must be denied.
It is therefore,
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Petition for Writ of Certiorari is denied.
DONE
AND ORDERED in Chambers, at
_________________________________
DAVID A. DEMERS
Circuit Judge, Appellate Division
_________________________________ ______________________________
PETER RAMSBERGER ANTHONY
RONDOLINO
Circuit Judge, Appellate Division Circuit Judge, Appellate Division
Copies furnished to:
Alan S. Zimmet, Esquire
Jeanne E. Hoffman, Esquire
Post Office Box 15309
Leslie K. Dougall-Sides, Esquire
City
Attorney’s Office, City of
Post Office Box 4748
David A. Theriaque, Esquire
S. Brent Spain, Esquire
Timothy E. Dennis, Esquire
[1] While an Administrative Law Judge, T. Kent Wetherell, II, was acting in a hearing officer capacity pursuant to the City’s Code, Sections 4-501.B.1. and 4-505.
[2] Spinecare is not a party to this petition.
[3] This Section allows for the deviation from development standards, including “[f]lexibility in regard to lot width, required setbacks, height and off-street parking.” Hence, the more stringent variance standard, i.e. that the property owner demonstrate undue hardship, is not applicable in this case. The Petitioners do not dispute the validity of the City’s Code.
[4] The
fact that this matter was “appealed” to a hearing officer pursuant to the
City’s Code, does not abrogate this Court’s certiorari review. See Haines City, 658 So.2d at
530 (explaining that “certiorari in circuit court to review local
administrative action under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.030(c)(3) is
not truly discretionary common-law certiorari, because the review is of right”); see also Soboleski v. City of