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McGhie v. Town of Cutler
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MAINE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT Reporter of Decisions
Decision: 2002 ME 62
Docket: Was-01-698
Submitted
on Briefs: March 26, 2002
Decided: April 12 , 2002
Panel: SAUFLEY, C.J., and CLIFFORD, RUDMAN, DANA, ALEXANDER, CALKINS,
and LEVY, JJ.
ANNE C. McGHIE et al.
v.
TOWN OF CUTLER et al.
RUDMAN, J.
[¶1] Anne C. McGhie appeals from the judgment entered in the Superior
Court (Washington County, Marden, J.) affirming the decision of the Town of
Cutler Board of Appeals granting a zoning variance to Naci Ozgur. McGhie
argues that the Board of Appeals erred by granting a variance without
sufficient evidence. We agree and vacate the decision of the Superior Court.
I. CASE HISTORY
[¶2] On behalf of their son-in-law, Naci Ozgur, Robert Ryan Sr. and
Nancy Ryan applied for a zoning variance to build a residence on a non-
conforming lot. The Town of Cutler's zoning ordinance governing minimum lot
sizes requires that lots have no less than 150 feet of road frontage. Town of
Cutler Zoning Ordinance II (E) (1) (1974). Ozgur's lot measures 118 feet along
Money Cove Road.
[¶3] The Board of Appeals met to consider Ozgur's variance petition,
which was solely supported by the building permit application he had
submitted to the Planning Board. In that application was a tax map with lot
dimensions showing road frontage of 118 feet for Ozgur's lot. Ozgur was
represented by his builder, who said he was there to answer questions. The
meeting was not recorded; the minutes provide the only record of the meeting.
After hearing comments from abutting neighbors opposed to the variance, the
meeting recessed as the Board awaited the arrival of the Code Enforcement
Officer (CEO). The Town Clerk, who was taking the minutes, left. The
meeting reconvened with the arrival of the CEO, now with a member of the
Board taking minutes. The CEO explained the four standards required for a
variance; the board voted 2-0 in favor of the variance with one member
recusing himself because of a conflict of interest. The Board of Appeals sent
Ozgur a notice of appeals decision explaining that the variance was granted
because of his lot's insufficient road frontage, but did not include any findings
on hardship.{1}
[¶4] Twelve days after the Board of Appeals met, McGhie and her
neighbors wrote to the Board seeking a rehearing and findings of fact. The
Board did not make the notice of appeals decision available to McGhie. The
Chairman of the Board denied their request. McGhie appealed the decision of
the Board of Appeals to the Superior Court, which affirmed.
II. DISCUSSION
[¶5] We review the decision of the Board of Appeals directly for abuse of
discretion, errors of law, or findings not supported by the substantial evidence
in the record. Chapel Road Assocs., L.L.C. v. Town of Wells, 2001 ME 178, ¶ 9,
787 A.2d 137; York v. Town of Ogunquit, 2001 ME 53, ¶ 6, 769 A.2d 172, 175.
[¶6] The Board of Appeals must find that the property owner would
suffer "undue hardship" if the property owner were denied a permit. 30-A
M.R.S.A. § 4353 (4) (Supp. 2001).{2} Although the Board of Appeals made
reference to the statutory requirements in the notice of appeals decision sent
to Ozgur, those references were legal conclusions. The Board made no findings
on the record. Ozgur presented no evidence to the Board of Appeals, relying
instead on his building permit application submitted to the Planning Board.
That application does not address the issue of "undue hardship."
[¶7] The record is devoid of evidence to support the zoning variance. Nor
does it indicate that the Board considered the four factors of "undue hardship."
The statute, 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4353 (4), requires proof of hardship. Sawyer
Envtl. Recovery Facilities, Inc. v. Town of Hampden, 2000 ME 179, ¶ 18 & n. 9,
760 A.2d 257, 261-62.
The entry is:
Judgment vacated. Remand to the Superior
Court for remand to the Cutler Board of Appeals
with instructions to deny the application for
variance.
Attorney for Plaintiff:
Joyce Mykleby, Esq.
P O Box 151
Machias, ME 04654
Attorneys for defendants:
Wayne R. Foote, Esq.
Foote & Temple
P O Box 1576
Bangor, ME 04402-1576
(for Town of Cutler)
Norman P. Toffolon, Esq.
P O Box 58
Machias, ME 04654
(for Naci Ozgur)
FOOTNOTES******************************** {1} . The notice stated: The land
in question cannot yield a reasonable return without this approved variance.
The need for a variance is due to the lack of road frontage, not the general
conditions of the neighborhood. The granting of a variance will not alter
the essential character of the locality. The hardship is not the result
of action taken by the applicant or a prior owner. {2} . 30-A M.R.S.A. §
4353 (4) reads as follows: 4. Variance. Except as provided in subsections
4-A, 4-B and 4-C, the board may grant a variance only when strict application
of the ordinance to the petitioner and the petitioner's property would cause
undue hardship. The term "undue hardship" as used in this subsection
means: A. The land in question can not yield a reasonable return unless
a variance is granted; B. The need for a variance is due to the unique circumstances
of the property and not to the general conditions in the neighborhood; C.
The granting of a variance will not alter the essential character of the
locality; and D. The hardship is not the result of action taken by the applicant
or a prior owner. . . . . 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4353 (4).
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