Safest Neighborhood Assn. v. Athens Bd. of Zoning Appeals

[Cite as Safest Neighborhood Assn. v. Athens Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 2013-Ohio-5610.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ATHENS COUNTY

SAFEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOC., ET AL., : Case Nos. 12CA32
: 12CA33
Appellants-Appellees, : 12CA34
: 12CA35
v. :
:
CITY OF ATHENS BOARD OF ZONING : DECISION AND
APPEALS, ET AL., : JUDMENT ENTRY
:
Appellees-Appellants, :
:
and :
:
KEVIN GILLESPIE/INTEGRATED SERVICES : RELEASED: 12/17/13
OF APPALACHIAN OHIO, INC., :
:
Appellee-Appellant. :
______________________________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:

Patrick J. Lang, City of Athens Director of Law, and Lisa A. Eliason, Chief City
Prosecutor, Athens, Ohio, for appellant City of Athens Board of Zoning Appeals, et al.

Tiffany C. Miller, Bailey Cavalieri LLC, Columbus, Ohio, and William R. Walker, Walker
& Walker Co., L.P.A., Athens, Ohio, for appellant Kevin Gillespie/Integrated Services of
Appalachian Ohio, Inc.

Garry E. Hunter, Garry E. Hunter Law Offices, Inc., LPA, Athens, Ohio, for appellees.
______________________________________________________________________
Harsha, J.

{¶1} In this consolidated appeal, the City of Athens Board of Zoning Appeals

(BZA), the City of Athens Planning Commission (Planning Commission) and Kevin

Gillespie/Integrated Services of Appalachian, Ohio, Inc. (Integrated Services) appeal the

trial court’s entry reversing the BZA and Planning Commission’s decisions to permit

Integrated Services to construct a two-story, multi-unit residential structure. However,

as neutral bodies that decided whether to grant Integrated Services’ applications, the
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 2

BZA and Planning Commission lack standing to appeal the court of common pleas

decision. Consequently, we must dismiss their appeals. Conversely, Integrated

Services unquestionably has standing to appeal as an aggrieved party who has been

adversely affected by the lower court’s decision and we consider the merits of its

arguments.

{¶2} Integrated Services argues, inter alia, that the lower court erred by finding

that the appellees, Safest Neighborhood Association (Safest Neighborhood) and over

40 Athens residents, had standing to appeal the BZA and Planning Commission’s

decisions because each appellee did not show that he or she actively participated at the

administrative hearing and was directly affected by the administrative decision. We

agree. Because the lower court looked at the appellees collectively, rather than looking

at each appellee individually, to determine if they met the requirements for standing, the

court abused its discretion and we reverse its decision.

I. OVERVIEW

{¶3} This administrative appeal involves the construction of a multi-unit,

residential structure by Integrated Services at 10 Graham Drive (the property) in Athens,

Ohio. When Integrated Services purchased the property it was classified as a “B-3

General Business Zone” and contained a single-family mobile home, which was a

nonconforming use. After removing the mobile home, Integrated Services sought a

variance from the BZA to construct a two-story structure. The BZA denied the variance,

and rather than appeal that decision, Integrated Services sought approval of a three-

story structure from the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission held a

hearing on March 16, 2011, and approved the new plan for a three-story structure
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 3

without residential use on the first floor. Under the B-3 General Business zoning,

Integrated Services did not need a variance to build a structure that did not include first-

floor residential use. However, Integrated Services then returned the case to the BZA

and asked for a substitution of a nonconforming use (the mobile home) for a not more

objectionable nonconforming use (the two-story structure). The BZA held a hearing and

approved the substitution of a two-story structure with first-floor residential use, which it

had previously denied in the request for a variance.

{¶4} Safest Neighborhood and approximately 40 Athens residents filed an

appeal with the Athens County Court of Common Pleas in case No. 11CI0149

contesting the BZA’s decision. Many of the same residents also filed a related

taxpayers’ action and asserted in their complaint that the City of Athens failed to

properly notify the public of the March 16, 2011 Planning Commission hearing as

required by the city code. Thereafter, the Planning Commission posted the notification

and re-heard the matter on August 17, 2011. It again approved the three-story structure

and also for the first time approved the substituted two-story structure. The appellees

then filed an appeal with the Athens County Court of Common Pleas in case No.

11CI0254 contesting the Planning Commission’s August 17 decision.

{¶5} The lower court consolidated the appellees’ appeals and issued an entry

reversing both the BZA and Planning Commission’s rulings. The trial court found that

the two-story structure expanded the mobile home’s prior nonconforming use contrary

to the city code and the Planning Commission’s decision was not supported by a

preponderance of substantial, reliable and probative evidence. Integrated Services, the

BZA and Planning Commission now appeal the court of common pleas’ decision.
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 4

II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

{¶6} In Case No. 12CA32 Integrated Services raises four assignments of error

for our review:

1. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED RULING IN FAVOR OF APPELLANTS
ABSENT APPELLANTS PRESENTING ANY ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
OR CITATION OF FACTS IN THE RECORD TO SUPPORT THEIR
ARGUMENT.”

2. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED FINDING THAT EVERY APPELLANT
BELOW HAD STANDING TO BRING AN APPEAL TO THE TRIAL
COURT.”

3. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED OVERRULING THE PLANNING
COMMISSION ABSENT ANY FACTS OR FINDING THE PLANNING
COMMISSION ENGAGED IN ANYTHING UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
ILLEGAL, ARBITRARY, CAPRICIOUS, OR UNREASONABLE IN
ARRIVING AT ITS DECISION.”

4. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED SUBSTITUTING ITS JUDGMENT AND
OPINIONS FOR THAT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.”

{¶7} In Case No. 12CA33 Integrated Services raises four assignments of error:

1. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED RULING IN FAVOR OF APPELLANTS ABSENT
APPELLANTS PRESENTING ANY ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR OR CITATION
OF FACTS IN THE RECORD TO SUPPORT THEIR ARGUMENTS.”

2. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED FINDING THAT EVERY APPELLANT BELOW
HAD STANDING TO BRING AN APPEAL TO THE TRIAL COURT.”

3. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED OVERRULING THE BZA RESOLUTION
ABSENT FACTS OR FINDINGS THE BZA DID ANYTHING
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, ILLEGAL, ARBITRARY, CAPRICIOUS, OR
UNREASONABLE IN ARRIVING AT ITS DECISION.”

4. “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED SUBSTITUTING ITS JUDGMENT AND
OPINIONS FOR THAT OF THE BZA.”

{¶8} In Case No. 12CA34 the BZA raises five assignments of error:

1. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT IT WAS
IMPLICIT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE THAT ALL
APPELLANTS IN SAFEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOC., ET AL.,
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 5

DEMONSTRATED UNIQUE HARM BY SIMPLY LIVING IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.”

2. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN NOT CONSIDERING THE
AFFIDAVITS OF JOHN PASZKE AND KEVIN GILLESPIE IN ITS DECISION OF
OCTOBER 1, 2012.”

3. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN RULING THAT THERE WAS NO
CLEAR TESTIMONY PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AS
TO WHETHER THE HOUSE WAS REMOVED WITHIN THE ONE YEAR TIME
LIMIT.”

4. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN RULING THAT THE CITY
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS FAILED TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE TWO
STORY MULTI-FAMILY UNIT WAS NOT MORE OBJECTIONABLE THAN THE
ORIGINAL ONE STORY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.”

5. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN CONCLUDING THAT THE BZA
WAS CONFUSED ON THE ISSUE OF THE RESOLUTION.”

{¶9} In Case No. 12CA35 the Planning Commission raises five assignments of

error:

1. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN ORDERING THE PLANNING
COMMISSION TO VERIFY THE TRANSCRIPTS.”

2. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN NOT CONSIDERING
SURREPLY BRIEFS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND INTEGRATED
SERVICES.”

3. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT SAFEST
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOC., ET AL., DEMONSTRATED UNIQUE HARM BY
SIMPLY LIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN SOME OF THEM
APPEARED AT THE HEARING.”

4. “THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN NOT CONSIDERING THE
AFFIDAVITS OF JOHN PASZKE AND KEVIN GILLESPIE IN ITS DECISION OF
OCTOBER 1, 2012.”

5. THE COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED IN RULING THAT THE HEARING
BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS PERFUNCTORY AT BEST
WHEN THE TRANSCRIPT IS REPLETE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE
DISABILITIES COMMISSION, TREES AND PARKING.”

III. LAW AND ANALYSIS
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 6

A. The BZA and Planning Commission Lack Standing to Appeal the Court of Common
Pleas’ Decision

{¶10} Before considering the merits of the parties’ appeals, we first address the

BZA and Planning Commission’s standing to appeal the court of common pleas’

decision. “Whether a party has standing to appeal ‘is jurisdictional and may be raised

sua sponte.’” Liquidation Properties v. Mosley, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 11CA3453, 2012-

Ohio-6281, ¶ 14, quoting In re Forfeiture of John Deere Tractor, 4th Dist. Athens No.

05CA26, 2006-Ohio-388, ¶ 10.

{¶11} “Neither a township board of zoning appeals nor any of its members as

such have a right to appeal from the judgment of a court, rendered on appeal from a

decision of such board and reversing and vacating that decision.” Di Cillo & Sons, Inc. v.

Chester Zoning Bd. Of Appeals, 158 Ohio St. 302, 109 N.E.2d 8 (1952), syllabus. “In

an appeal to the board of zoning appeals, the board does not become a party to that

appeal,” but rather is a body to decide whether the issuance of a variance is

appropriate. Id. at 304-305. “[T]he board should be as disinterested in deciding matters

brought before it as a court should be.” Id. at 305. “Just as a common pleas court is not

a party in a case it decides and may not appeal from a decision of a court of appeals

that reverses the common pleas’ decision, the board of zoning appeals is not a party to

[an] appeal and has no standing to appeal.” Parker v. Swancreek Twp. Bd. of Zoning

Appeals, 6th Dist. Fulton Nos. F-04-035, F-04-036, F-04-038, 2005-Ohio-538, ¶ 4.

Instead, the proper party to appeal under R.C. Chapter 2506 is “the city, the city official

responsible for enforcing the zoning regulations, or other persons aggrieved by the

court’s decision.” Sich v. Bd. of Zoning Appeals for the City Middletown, 12th Dist.

Butler No. CA83-08-093, 1984 WL 3386, *1 (July 16, 1984), citing Di Cillo at 305; Gold
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 7

Coast Realty, Inc. v. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 26 Ohio St.2d 37, 39, 268 N.E.2d 280

(1971).

{¶12} We believe the same rationale and rule apply to the Planning

Commission. The Planning Commission “exercise[d] a function in which it is

presumably neutral” in its task of deciding whether to approve Integrated Services’ site

plan to build its three story complex. Whitemyer Advertising, Inc. v. Zoar Planning

Comm., 5th Dist. Tuscarawas No. 90AP100058, 1991 WL 302454, *1. Although Safest

Neighborhood and the other appellees incorrectly named the BZA and the Planning

Commission as opposing parties in their appeals to the court of common pleas, the BZA

and Planning Commission do not have standing to appeal the court of common pleas’

reversal of their decisions. See Gold Coast at 39. Accordingly, we do not have

jurisdiction to consider the BZA and Planning Commission’s appeals and must dismiss

them. See Rickard v. Trumbull Twp. Zoning Bd. of Appeals, 11th Dist. Ashtabula Nos.

2008-A-0024, 2008-A-0027, 2008-A-0025, 2008-A-0026, 2008-A-0028, 2009-Ohio-

2619, ¶ 43.

{¶13} Conversely, Integrated Services unquestionably has standing to appeal as

an aggrieved party who has been adversely affected by the court of common pleas’

decision and we consider the merits of its appeal. See Liquidation Properties, 4th Dist.

Scioto No. 11CA3453, 2012-Ohio-6281, at ¶ 14.

B. Standard of Review

{¶14} Administrative appeals at the municipal level are governed by R.C.

Chapter 2506. Willoughby Hills v. C.C. Bar’s Sahara, Inc., 64 Ohio St.3d 24, 26, 591

N.E.2d 1203 (1992). Under R.C. Chapter 2506, the court of common pleas may find
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 8

that the order, adjudication or decision of the administrative agency is “unconstitutional,

illegal, arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, or unsupported by the preponderance of

substantial, reliable, and probative evidence on the whole record.” R.C. 2506.04.

Consistent with its findings, the court of common pleas may then “affirm, reverse,

vacate, or modify the order, adjudication, or decision, or remand the cause to the officer

or body appealed from with instructions to enter an order, adjudication, or decision

consistent with the findings or opinion of the court.” R.C. 2506.04. “[I]n weighing

evidence, the court may not ‘blatantly substitute its judgment for that of the agency,

especially in areas of administrative expertise.’” AT&T Communications of Ohio, Inc. v.

Lynch, 132 Ohio St.3d 92, 2012-Ohio-1975, 969 N.E.2d 1166, ¶ 13, quoting Dudukovich

v. Lorain Metro. Hous. Auth., 58 Ohio St.2d 202, 207, 389 N.E.2d 1113 (1979).

Accordingly, the court of common pleas must affirm the agency’s decision if it is

supported by “a preponderance of reliable, probative, and substantial evidence.”

Burchfield v. Jackson Twp. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 07CA11,

2008-Ohio-1228, ¶ 8.

{¶15} However, reviews by appellate courts under R.C. 2506.04 are more

limited in scope than the court of common pleas. Three Wide Entertainment v. Athens

Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 194 Ohio App.3d 1, 2011-Ohio-2304, 954 N.E.2d 191, ¶ 9 (4th

Dist.) (per curiam). “‘This statute grants a more limited power to the court of appeals to

review the judgment of the common pleas court only on “questions of law,” which does

not include the same extensive power to weigh “the preponderance of substantial,

reliable and probative evidence,” as is granted to the common pleas court.’” Henley v.

Youngstown Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 90 Ohio St.3d 142, 147, 735 N.E.2d 433 (2000),
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 9

quoting Kisil v. Sandusky, 12 Ohio St.3d 30, 34, 465 N.E.2d 848 (1984), fn. 4. “‘It is

incumbent on the trial court to examine the evidence. Such is not the charge of the

appellate court. * * * The fact that the court of appeals * * * might have arrived at a

different conclusion than the administrative agency is immaterial. Appellate courts must

not substitute their judgment for those of an administrative agency or a trial court absent

the approved criteria for doing so.’” Henley at 147, quoting Lorain City School Dist. Bd.

of Edn. v. State Emp. Relations Bd., 40 Ohio St.3d 257, 261, 533 N.E.2d 264 (1988).

{¶16} The court of common pleas’ ruling “may be appealed by any party on

questions of law.” R.C. 2506.04. Thus, the standard of review we apply is more limited

in scope; appellate courts are limited in an R.C. 2506.01 appeal to reviewing questions

of law. Lorain City School Dist. at 261. See also Burchfield at ¶ 9. However, “‘[w]ithin

the ambit of “questions of law” for the appellate review would be abuse of discretion by

the common pleas court,’” in choosing or applying the law. Henley at 148, quoting Kisil

at 34, fn.4. Although the abuse of discretion standard usually affords maximum defense

to the lower court, no court retains discretion to adopt an incorrect legal rule or to apply

an appropriate rule in an inappropriate manner. Such a course of conduct would result

in an abuse of discretion. See Harsha, William, H., The Substance of Appeals, 17 Ohio

Lawyer, No. 6, 17. We make such a determination as with other questions of law on a

de novo basis.

C. The Appellees’ Standing to Appeal the BZA
and Planning Commission’s Decisions

{¶17} Initially we determined that the BZA and the Planning Commission lacked

standing to appeal the decision of the court of common pleas to the court of appeals.

Now we address whether the appellees had standing to appeal the decisions of the BZA
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 10

and the Planning Commission to the court of common pleas. Different rules apply in

each context, so we have addressed them separately.

{¶18} Because it is dispositive of this appeal, we first consider Integrated

Services’ argument that the lower court erred by finding that the appellees had standing

to appeal the BZA and Planning Commission’s decisions. It contends that the appellees

did not meet the requirements set forth by the Supreme Court of Ohio in Roper v. Bd. of

Zoning Appeals, Twp. Of Richfield, 173 Ohio St. 168, 180 N.E.2d 591 (1962), and

applied by this court in Fahl v. Athens, 4th Dist. Athens No. 06CA23, 2007-Ohio-4925.

{¶19} Standing determines “‘whether a litigant is entitled to have a court

determine the merits of the issues presented.’” State ex rel. Teamsters Local Union No.

436 v. Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Commrs., 132 Ohio St.3d 47, 2012-Ohio-1861, 969 N.E.2d

224, ¶ 10, quoting Ohio Contrs. Assn. v. Bicking, 71 Ohio St.3d 318, 320, 643 N.E.2d

1088 (1994). R.C. 2506.01 limits the right to appeal administrative decisions that

determine “rights, duties, privileges, benefits, or legal relationships of a person * * *.”

However, R.C. Chapter 2506 “does not address the question of who has standing to

bring such an appeal.” (Emphasis sic.) Willoughby Hills, 64 Ohio St.3d at 26, 591

N.E.2d 1203 (1992).

{¶20} Under the common law doctrine of standing, only those parties who can

demonstrate a present interest in the subject matter of the litigation and have been

prejudiced by the judgment of the lower court possess the right to appeal. Id.; Jenkins v.

Gallipolis, 128 Ohio App.3d 376, 381, 715 N.E.2d 196 (4th Dist.1998). The Supreme

Court has “construed R.C. Chapter 2506 to permit appeals only by those who are

directly affected by the administrative decision.” (Emphasis sic.) In re Petition for
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 11

Incorporation of the Village of Holiday City, 70 Ohio St.3d 365, 371, 639 N.E.2d 42

(1994). The burden of proof to establish standing lies with the party seeking to appeal

and therefore that party must ensure that the record supports his or her claim of

standing. Jenkins at 381-382; Antush v. N. Ridgeville, 9th Dist. Lorain Nos.

02CA008161, 02CA008169, 02CA008192, 2003-Ohio-3164, ¶ 10.

{¶21} The Supreme Court first considered the issue of third party standing in

Roper v. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, Twp. Of Richfield, 173 Ohio St. 168, 180 N.E.2d

591(1962), and determined that it would be inappropriate to limit standing in an

administrative appeal to the party denied its application by the agency. Roper at 173-

174. The Court reasoned that such an approach “is contrary to the intention of the

Legislature” and “repugnant to the majority of this court.” Id. at 173. Thus the Court held

that a:

resident, elector and property owner of a township, who appears
before a township Board of Zoning Appeals, is represented by an
attorney, opposes and protests the changing of a zoned area from
residential to commercial, and advises the board, on the record, that if
the decision of the board is adverse to him he intends to appeal from
the decision to a court has a right of appeal to the Common Pleas
Court if the appeal is properly and timely made pursuant to Sections
519.15 and 2506.01 to 2506.04, inclusive, and Chapter 2505, Revised
Code.

Id. at syllabus.

{¶22} In Schomaeker v. First Nat. Bank of Ottawa, 66 Ohio St.2d 304, 421

N.E.2d 530 (1981), the Court again considered the issue of third party standing to bring

an administrative appeal and further limited standing under R.C. Chapter 2506 to only

those parties “directly affected” by an administrative decision. Id. at 311-312. The Court

explained that a:
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 12

person owning property contiguous to the proposed use who has
previously indicated an interest in the matter by a prior court action
challenging the use, and who attends a hearing on the variance together
with counsel, is within that class of persons directly affected by the
administrative decision and is entitled to appeal under R.C. Chapter 2506.

Id. at paragraph two of the syllabus.

{¶23} Then in Willoughby Hills, the Supreme Court affirmed that standing to

appeal an administrative decision to the court of common pleas is not limited only to the

party denied the variance and that “[a]djacent or contiguous property owners who

oppose and participate in the administrative proceedings concerning the issuance of a

variance are equally entitled to seek appellate review under R.C. 2506.01.” Willoughby

Hills, 64 Ohio St.3d at 26, 591 N.E.2d 1203 (1992). The Court then elaborated on its

holding in Schomaeker and explained that:

[t]he “directly affected” language in Schomaeker merely serves to clarify
the basis upon which a private property owner, as distinguished from the
public at large, could challenge the board of zoning appeals’ approval of
the variance. The private litigant has standing to complain of harm which
is unique to himself. In contrast, a private property owner across town,
who seeks reversal of the granting of a variance because of its effect on
the character of the city as a whole, would lack standing because his
injury does not differ from that suffered by the community at large. The
latter litigant would, therefore, be unable to demonstrate the necessary
unique prejudice which resulted from the board's approval of the
requested variance.

Id. at 27.

{¶24} It is apparent from these cases that a third party property owner has

standing to appeal an administrative agency decision under R.C. 2506.01 when that

property owner actively participated at the administrative hearing and has been directly

affected by the decision.

1. Active Participation
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 13

{¶25} An individual, who attends the administrative hearing and voices his or her

opposition to the proposed action, has actively participated in the proceedings. See

Willoughby Hills at 26; Groffre Invests. v. Canton Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 5th Dist. Stark

No. 2012-CA-00059, 2013-Ohio-1131, ¶ 25. In addition, an attorney who appears at the

administrative hearing on behalf of his client, indicates such a representation and

opposes the issue may also be sufficient to establish the party’s active participation.

Groffre at ¶ 28-30.

2. Directly Affected

{¶26} A party is directly affected by an administrative decision, as distinguished

from the public at large, when he or she can demonstrate a unique harm. Midwest

Fireworks Mfg. Co. v. Deerfield Twp. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 91 Ohio St.3d 174, 179-

180, 743 N.E.2d 894 (2001) (Cook, J., dissenting), citing Willoughby Hills, 64 Ohio St.3d

at 27, 591 N.E.2d 1203. Thus, a court “‘must look beyond physical proximity to

demonstrate if the order constitutes a determination of the rights, duties, privileges,

benefits or legal relationships of a specified person.’” Jenkins, 128 Ohio App.3d at 382,

715 N.E.2d 196 (4th Dist.1998), quoting Am. Aggregates Corp. v. Columbus, 66 Ohio

App.3d 318, 322, 584 N.E.2d 26 (10th Dist.1990). Generally, concerns about increased

traffic are shared equally by the public at large and, therefore, are not adequate grounds

to confer standing under R.C. 2506.01. Jenkins at 382. However, evidence that the

appealing party’s property value may decrease due to an administrative decision

“constitutes a direct effect sufficient to confer standing.” Id.

3. Is Standing Determined Individually or Collectively?
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 14

{¶27} The record shows that of the over 40 residents that appealed the

agencies’ decisions to the court of common pleas, only seven attended and spoke at

the May 11, 2011 BZA hearing, and only three attended and spoke at the August 17,

2011 Planning Commission hearing. Attorney Garry Hunter also attended the August

17 hearing and indicated that he was speaking on behalf of “over a hundred” residents.

{¶28} Integrated Services filed a “Joint Motion for Hearing on Issue of Standing”

with the lower court and argued that the appellees who did not attend the BZA and

Planning Commission hearings should be dismissed from the case for lack of standing.1

It further asserted that the appellees who did attend each hearing did not demonstrate a

“direct effect” or “unique harm” and should also be dismissed from the case. The

appellees filed a “Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss for Lack of

Standing,” in which they asserted several reasons why the court should not consider the

the appellants’ argument or alternatively find that they had standing to appeal. The

lower court did not rule on the motion, and Integrated Services again raised the issue of

standing in their briefs filed with the court of common pleas. In its October 1, 2012

entry, from which Integrated Services appeals, the court addressed the issue and stated

that:

Before taking up the question of the standard of review and the arguments
of law, the court must first consider two matters, that of standing and
surreplies. The record is clear that appellants, or at least a substantial
number of them, appeared at the hearings on this matter and voiced their
opposition.

They were all from the neighborhood proximate to 10 Graham Drive in
Athens and made their concerns known about safety, traffic and parking

1
The BZA and Integrated Services filed a “Joint Motion for Hearing on Issue of Standing” in Case No. 11-
CI-149. The Planning Commission and Integrated Services also filed a “Joint Motion for Hearing on Issue
of Standing” in Case No. 11-CI-254.
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 15

and property value diminution and while they may not have specified that
the anticipated harm would be unique to them, such was implicit under the
circumstances of the case.

Appellants have shown themselves to be aggrieved under the application
of the Athens City Zoning Code and Title 41 of the City’s Planning
Commission. Thus the motions to dismiss in both this case and in Case
No. 11CI254 are overruled.

{¶29} This is not a case involving associational standing. Each appellant must

satisfy the requirements for standing as an individual, not collectively as part of a group

or association. Here, the trial court abused its discretion by not determining if each of

the appellees had standing to appeal the BZA and Planning Commission’s decisions.

To have standing each appellee, including Safest Neighborhood,2 needed to have

actively participated in the relevant hearing and demonstrated that he or she has been

directly affected by the administration’s decision. It was an abuse of discretion, i.e.

improper application of the law, for the lower court to group the appellees together in

deciding whether the parties collectively met each requirement.

{¶30} Integrated Services argues that every appellee must meet the

requirements listed in Roper to have standing, including voicing his or her intent to

appeal at the administrative hearing. However, we do not read the Court’s statement in

Roper as an exhaustive list of requirements that a third party must meet to have

standing to appeal an administrative agency’s decision. Rather, we view this statement

as descriptive of Roper’s actions in that case, not prescriptive as Integrated Services

2
The appellees have not specified under what theory they assert Safest Neighborhood Association has
standing to appeal the BZA and Planning Commission’s decisions. However, it lacks standing in a
representative capacity to appeal on behalf of its members under R.C. Chapter 2506. See Noe Bixby
Road Neighbors v. Columbus City Council, 150 Ohio App.3d 305, 2002-Ohio-6453, 780 N.E.2d 1046, ¶
10 (10th Dist.); Women of the Old West End, Inc., v. City of Toledo, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-97-1204, 1998
WL 334188, *4 (June 5, 1998). Therefore, Safest Neighborhood must meet the same requirements as
the other city residents to have standing, i.e. active participation and direct effect.
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 16

contends. See Groffre, 9th Dist. Stark No. 2012-CA-00059, 2013-Ohio-1131 at ¶ 26.

Nevertheless, we are aware that other appellate courts do not take this same view. See

Hofer v. N. Perry Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2007-L-165, 2008-Ohio-

6876, ¶ 16, 17; Kraus v. Put-In-Bay Tp. Bd. of Zoning and Appeals, 6th Dist. Ottawa No.

OT-04-011, 2004-Ohio-4678, ¶ 15; Hickory Street Coalition v. City of Akron Planning

Comm., 9th Dist. Summit No. 21738, 2004-Ohio-2246, ¶ 10, 12.

{¶31} In support of their argument that the appellees lack standing, Integrated

Services also cites Fahl v. Athens, 4th Dist. Athens No. 06CA23, 2007-Ohio-4925. In

Fahl we considered the issue of standing under R.C. 2506.01 and held that because the

parties did not actively participate at the administrative hearing, they lacked standing to

appeal the agency’s decision to the court of common pleas. Id. at ¶ 1. Integrated

Services reads Fahl as our acceptance of a strict reading of Roper, and asserts that on

this basis the appellees must meet all the requirements listed by the Court in Roper to

have standing. However, Fahl sets forth no precedent or binding rule of law on the

issue of standing beyond its impact on the parties in that case. A close review of the

opinion in Fahl reveals one judge dissented and one concurred in judgment only on the

standing issue.

{¶32} In opposition, the appellees argue that “the common law definition of

standing is not relevant in this case” because the Athens City Code provides for an

independent statutory appeals process from the Planning Commission and BZA.

Athens City Ordinance 23.07.11(A) states:

Filing of appeal from BZA decision: Any person or persons, jointly or
severally aggrieved by any decision of the BZA, or any resident, or any
officer, department, or appointed body of the municipality may present to
the Athens County Court of Common Pleas a petition, duly verified, setting
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 17

forth that such decision is illegal, in whole or in part, and specifying the
ground of illegality. Such petition shall be presented to the court within 30
days after the mailing of the BOA’s decision to the applicant

{¶33} However in case No. 11CI0149 challenging the BZA’s decision, the

appellees filed their appeal under R.C. Chapters 2505 and 2506, and thus the city

ordinance would not be applicable in that case. In case No. 11CI0254 appealing the

Planning Commission’s decision, the appellees sought relief under R.C. Chapters 2505

and 2506, as well as Athens City Code Section 41.10(H). Athens City Ordinance

41.10(H) provides: “Appeals from a final order, adjudication, or decision of the planning

commission may be to the Court of Common Pleas of Athens County pursuant to Ohio

Revised Code Chapters 2505 and 2506.” Thus, we reject the appellees’ argument that

the standing requirements of R.C. Chapter 2506 do not apply to their appeals.

{¶34} The appellees further argue that Integrated Services did not timely raise

the issue of standing because it requested a hearing on the issue after the parties filed

the transcripts, established a briefing schedule and the appellees’ filed their brief.

Therefore, the appellees argue that Integrated Services waived any right under Civ.R.

12(H) to challenge their standing. However, when standing is jurisdictional in nature, it

can be raised at anytime during the proceedings. Buckeye Foods v. Cuyahoga County

Bd. of Revision, 78 Ohio St.3d 459, 460, 678 N.E.2d 917 (1997). And because standing

is a jurisdictional issue in administrative appeals and Integrated Services filed a motion

with the court requesting a hearing on the issue of standing and then again raised the

issue in its briefs, we find the appellees’ forfeiture argument meritless. See Alexis

Entertainment, L.L.C. v. Toledo, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L–13–1028, 2013-Ohio-3496, ¶ 7,

citing State ex rel. Jones v. Suster, 84 Ohio St.3d 70, 77, 701 N.E.2d 1002 (1998), fn. 4.
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 18

{¶35} Finally, the appellees contend that because Integrated Services argued in

the related taxpayer action that the appellees have “an adequate remedy at law in the

Zoning and Planning Commission Appeals” they “have waived their right to then

challenge standing in this case.” They cite no authority to support this assertion nor are

we aware of any.

IV. CONCLUSION

{¶36} We find that the lower court erred as a matter of law and abused its

discretion in its “collective” application of the principles of standing. Thus we sustain

Integrated Services’ second assignment of error in case Nos. 12CA32 and 12CA33.

Accordingly we reverse the court of common plea’s decision and remand the case so

that the lower court can determine if each appellee, including Safest Neighborhood, has

standing to appeal the relevant administrative decision. This decision renders moot

Integrated Services’ remaining assignments of error and we decline to address them.

See App.R. 12(A)(1)(C).

JUDGMENT REVERSED AND REMANDED.

{¶37} We also dismiss the BZA and Planning Commission’s appeals in case

Nos. 12CA34 and 12CA35 for lack of standing.

APPEALS DISMISSED.
Athens App. Nos. 12CA32, 12CA33, 12CA34, 12CA35 19

JUDGMENT ENTRY

It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS REVERSED in case Nos. 12CA32 and
12CA33 and that the CAUSE IS REMANDED. Appellees shall pay the costs. It is
ordered that the APPEAL IS DISMISSED in case Nos. 12CA34 and 12CA35.
Appellants shall pay the costs.

The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Athens
County Court of Common Pleas to carry this judgment into execution.

Any stay previously granted by this Court is hereby terminated as of the date of
this entry.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

McFarland, P.J. & Hoover, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.

For the Court

BY: ________________________________
William H. Harsha, Judge

NOTICE TO COUNSEL

Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment
entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing
with the clerk.