Filed: Dec. 21, 2016
Latest Update: Mar. 03, 2020
Summary: FILED United States Court of Appeals UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Tenth Circuit FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT December 21, 2016 _ Elisabeth A. Shumaker Clerk of Court CASCO LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company, d/b/a Quality Inn & Suites, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. No. 15-8089 (D.C. No. 1:13-CV-00148-ABJ) MCDONALD’S REAL ESTATE (D. Wyo.) COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, Defendant - Appellee. _ ORDER AND JUDGMENT* _ Before KELLY, MATHESON, and McHUGH, Circuit Judges. _ This appeal concerns a contrac
Summary: FILED United States Court of Appeals UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Tenth Circuit FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT December 21, 2016 _ Elisabeth A. Shumaker Clerk of Court CASCO LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company, d/b/a Quality Inn & Suites, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. No. 15-8089 (D.C. No. 1:13-CV-00148-ABJ) MCDONALD’S REAL ESTATE (D. Wyo.) COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, Defendant - Appellee. _ ORDER AND JUDGMENT* _ Before KELLY, MATHESON, and McHUGH, Circuit Judges. _ This appeal concerns a contract..
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FILED
United States Court of Appeals
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Tenth Circuit
FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT December 21, 2016
_________________________________
Elisabeth A. Shumaker
Clerk of Court
CASCO LLC, a Wyoming limited liability
company, d/b/a Quality Inn & Suites,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
v. No. 15-8089
(D.C. No. 1:13-CV-00148-ABJ)
MCDONALD’S REAL ESTATE (D. Wyo.)
COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,
Defendant - Appellee.
_________________________________
ORDER AND JUDGMENT*
_________________________________
Before KELLY, MATHESON, and McHUGH, Circuit Judges.
_________________________________
This appeal concerns a contract and property dispute between neighbors. Casco,
LLC and McDonald’s Real Estate Company own adjacent real estate and dispute their
purported rights and obligations under a Declaration of Reciprocal Easements,
Covenants, and Restrictions that was part of a broader real estate transaction.
We affirm the district court’s ruling that Casco breached two provisions of the
Declaration and does not have rights under those provisions. The district court erred,
however, in ruling that Casco lost its property rights established in the Declaration.
*
This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its
persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
Exercising jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 in this diversity case, we affirm in part,
reverse in part, and remand.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Factual History
1. The Declaration
JB’s Family Restaurants, Inc. owned Lots 4, 5, and 6 of an area of land in Casper,
Wyoming called the Klassen Addition. In 2002, JB’s conveyed to Casco Lots 4 and 6 for
$125,000, and JB’s continued to own the adjoining Lot 5. Casco has operated a Quality
Inn & Suites on its lots. As part of the transaction, the parties entered into the
Declaration.
The Declaration, which Casco drafted and recorded in the Office of the County
Clerk of Natrona County, Wyoming, on May 17, 2002, applied to Lots 4, 5, and 6. It
stated:
1. New parking lot. Casco, at its sole expense, shall install a new parking lot
on real property owned by JB’s prior to removing any of JB’s existing 70
parking spaces.[1] Casco will replace and build said parking spaces on JB’s
real property to accommodate at least sixteen (16) nine-foot (9’) parking
spaces. After such new parking spaces have been installed upon JB’s real
property, JB’s shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair, snow
removal, sealing, and other expenses relative to maintaining the parking
lots on JB’s real property.
1
The parties agree that, although the Declaration refers to “JB’s existing 70
parking spaces,” Casco owned thirteen of the 70 parking spaces after the parties executed
the Declaration. App. at 255, ¶ 13; App. at 367, ¶ 6. When McDonald’s purchased the
property from JB’s, it received 57 parking spaces. App. at 367, ¶ 6.
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2. Access easement. Attached hereto as Exhibits “A” and “B”, and by
reference made a part hereof, is the legal description of an access easement
which JB’s do hereby grant, bargain, sell, and convey to Casco across JB’s
property, which shall be a perpetual access easement until such time as the
parties hereto, their successors and assigns, and predecessors in title
mutually agree to terminate such access easement. The parties agree that
the obligation for snow removal and maintenance and repair of such access
easement shall be JB’s.
3. Sign. JB’s have granted to Casco the right to install, repair, and maintain
signs on JB’s real property located on the plat attached hereto as Exhibits
“C” and “D”, and by reference made a part hereof. Such signs shall not
exceed the following dimensions:
(a) Sign easement #1 shall not be in excess of 66” high, as measured
from the ground to the top of the sign.
(b) Total square footage of the two signs shall not exceed the lesser of
300 square feet, or 50% of the total dimensions and sign coverage
allowed on Lot 5 by the City of Casper at the time the signs are to be
erected.
4. Garbage receptacle. Casco, at its sole expense, shall install, to City’s
specifications, a garbage receptacle to be located upon JB’s real property at
the location described in the plat attached hereto as Exhibit “B”, prior to
removing JB’s existing garbage receptacle.
5. Fences. The parties hereto agree that no fences will be constructed on or
within 20’ of the adjoining lot lines between Lots 4, 5, and 6 of the said
Klassen Addition, the real property owned by JB’s and Casco without the
express written mutual consent of the parties hereto, their successors, or
assigns. This restriction shall continue and shall constitute a covenant
running with the real property owned by the respective parties hereto.
6. Parking Spaces. The parties hereto, their successors, assigns, and
predecessors in title shall have the unrestricted right to use the parking
spaces located upon the parties’ real property legally described as Lots 4, 5,
and 6, in the Replat of Klassen Addition, an Addition to the City of Casper,
Natrona County, Wyoming. Each of the parties shall be responsible for the
maintenance and repair of the parking spaces located upon its property,
including the snow removal and the maintenance and repair. The parties
hereto shall have the right to designate handicapped parking on their
respective properties. All the parking spaces on the real property owned by
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Casco and JB’s shall constitute a conveyance of reciprocal easements for
this purpose, and shall be a perpetual common easement which may be
modified only with the mutual written consent of the parties hereto, their
successors, assigns, and predecessors in title. Such parking spaces are set
forth in the plat attached as Exhibit “E” hereto.
App. at 28-29.
When the parties signed the Declaration, JB’s parking spaces and trash receptacle
were located in the access easement discussed in the Access Easement Provision. The
parties intended for (1) the new parking spaces, discussed in the New Parking Lot
Provision, and (2) the future garbage receptacle, discussed in the Garbage Receptacle
Provision, to be located outside the access easement. Attached to the Declaration were
exhibits of maps showing the intended configurations of Lots 4, 5, and 6 after the Casco
redevelopment. For unexplained reasons, Casco never redeveloped the property.
2. McDonald’s Redevelopment
After purchasing JB’s former property in 2013, McDonald’s planned a
redevelopment of its lot, Lot 5. Casco did not consent to McDonald’s redevelopment.
Instead, it communicated various objections, the specific nature of which the parties have
not explained.
McDonald’s nevertheless executed its redevelopment plan, making the following
changes:
1. It demolished JB’s restaurant and replaced it with a new McDonald’s
restaurant.
2. It removed the garbage receptacle on Lot 5 and built a new one in a
different location on that same lot. This new location was not the
location of the “proposed trash enclosure” depicted in the Declaration’s
exhibits.
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3. It constructed a storage shed next to the new garbage receptacle.
4. Its replacement of the garbage receptacle and construction of a storage
shed eliminated two parking spaces.
5. It installed a new sign, occupying 420.55 square feet out of 600 square
feet allotted by the City of Casper.
McDonald’s redevelopment does not interfere with the access easement.
McDonald’s has never denied a Casco employee or guest access to the access easement.
Nor has Casco identified any employee or guest who has been unable to park on Lot 5.
According to Casco, McDonald’s placement of the garbage receptacle and storage shed
diminishes the value of Casco’s property by creating aesthetic blights, the nature of
which Casco has not explained. Casco also states the redevelopment makes it impossible
for large vehicles to park in the lot and has deprived it of two parking spaces.
3. Casco’s Proposed Redevelopment
Following the redevelopment of McDonald’s property, Casco sought to redevelop
Lots 4, 5, and 6. Casco presented its plans to McDonald’s. The parties have offered
almost no detail on the nature of these plans. At minimum, however, the proposed
redevelopment appears to involve (1) changing some aspect of the access easement on
Casco’s lots, (2) relocating McDonald’s garbage receptacle in accordance with the
Declaration’s exhibits, and (3) installing a new sign on Lot 5.
McDonald’s objected to Casco’s proposed reconfiguration, contending the
Declaration prohibits Casco from changing the access easement on its lot and from
relocating the garbage receptacle on McDonald’s lot. As to Casco’s proposed sign,
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Casco must apply for City approval to install the sign. To obtain City approval, it needs
McDonald’s, the owner of Lot 5, to sign its application, which McDonald’s has refused
to do. Casco asserts McDonald’s conduct has “irreparably limited” the “future
development” of Casco’s lots without further specifying the nature of this harm.
B. Procedural History
Casco sued McDonald’s in the Wyoming state district court. McDonald’s
removed the case to federal court, invoking diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332.
1. Casco’s First Amended Complaint
Casco’s First Amended Complaint sought (a) declaratory relief, (b) specific
performance or an injunction, and (c) damages.
a. Declaratory relief
Casco’s First Amended Complaint sought a declaratory judgment stating:
a. The Declaration is valid, binding and enforceable against McDonald’s;
b. Casco is entitled to utilize and/or develop the parking spaces as
originally defined in the Declaration;
c. Casco is entitled to develop the trash receptacle and accompanying
storage shed as originally defined in the Declaration;
d. Casco is entitled to ingress and egress over McDonald’s property as
defined in the Declaration;
e. Casco is entitled to utilize McDonald’s property for at least two (2)
signs not to exceed the lesser of 300 square feet or 50% of the total
dimensions and sign coverage as permitted by the City of Casper; and
f. The actions of McDonald’s, including, but not limited to, the
development of the parking lot, relocation of the trash receptacle,
installation of the storage shed, and use of excessive signage, have
violated the express terms and conditions of the Declaration.
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App. at 17 (emphasis removed and capitalization altered).
b. Breach of contract claim seeking specific performance and an alternative
injunction
Casco also alleged a breach of contract based on (1) McDonald’s failure to
“recognize Casco’s right” under the Declaration to “modify the existing parking lot,”
“modify the location of the existing trash receptacle,” or “utilize McDonald’s property
for at least two . . . signs not to exceed the lesser of 300 square feet or 50% of the total
dimensions and sign coverage as permitted by the City of Casper,” and (2) McDonald’s
use of “the entirety of the sign coverage” and its refusal to “reduce its signage to
accommodate Casco’s rights under the Declaration.” App. at 18, ¶¶ 29, 30.2
As a remedy for this claim, Casco sought “specific performance of the Declaration
as it relates to”:
(i) Casco’s rights to reconfigure the parking area, (ii) relocate the trash
receptacle, (iii) forcing McDonald’s to be solely liable for the cost
associated with the relocation of the storage shed, and (iv) forcing
McDonald’s to reduce its signage to accommodate Casco’s rights under the
Declaration.
Id. at 18, ¶ 33 (capitalization altered). In addition to specific performance, Casco sought
a permanent injunction restraining McDonald’s “from its current conduct and [from]
frustrating the Declaration in order to prevent the suffrage [sic] of irreparable injury, loss,
harm or damage.”
Id. at 19, ¶ 37.
2
Casco further alleged, “The storage shed was not contemplated under the
Declaration, making it more expensive for Casco to relocate the trash receptacle and the
storage shed.” App. at 18, ¶¶ 32 (capitalization altered). But it did not explain how this
constituted a breach of contract.
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c. Damages in the alternative
Finally, as an alternative to a declaratory judgment, specific performance, or
permanent injunction, Casco sought compensatory damages for McDonald’s alleged
breach of contract.
2. McDonald’s Counterclaim
McDonald’s filed a counterclaim seeking a declaratory judgment that:
a. The Declaration is insufficiently definite to be enforced with respect to
the rights Plaintiff seeks to enforce in its First Amended Complaint;
b. Casco has no right to alter the McDonald’s parking lot;
c. Casco has no right under the Declaration to a particular number of
parking spaces on McDonald’s property nor does it have any right to
parking designed to accommodate oversized vehicles;
d. Casco has no right under the Declaration to move the McDonald’s trash
receptacle or storage shed;
e. Paragraph 3 imposes no obligation on McDonald’s, but rather grants
Casco two sign easements that Casco may exercise so long as Casco’s
signs comply with paragraphs 3(a) and 3(b) of the Declaration and City
of Casper ordinances or regulations;
f. Casco is in material breach of the Declaration as it did not perform its
obligations under the Declaration in a timely way, and it violated
paragraph 5 of the Declaration by construction of the fence, and
accordingly it has lost any purported rights thereunder.
Id. at 48-49 (capitalization altered).
Alternatively, it alleged Casco “failed to perform its obligations under paragraphs
1 and 4 of the Declaration,” discharging McDonald’s “from any obligation arising under
the Declaration.” Id. at 49. McDonald’s accordingly requested “that judgment be
entered declaring that the Declaration has no further force or effect as a result of the lack
-8-
of performance by Casco of its obligations under the Declaration.” Id. (capitalization
altered).
3. Grant of Summary Judgment
McDonald’s moved for summary judgment on Casco’s claims. Casco cross-
moved for summary judgment on its claims and McDonald’s counterclaim.
McDonald’s argued the Declaration was indefinite and therefore unenforceable. The
parties also disputed whether Casco breached the Declaration and, even if it did, whether
it was therefore barred from enforcing its rights under it. The district court granted
McDonald’s motion and denied Casco’s motion. It held (1) the Declaration was
sufficiently definite and enforceable, and (2) Casco materially breached the Declaration,
losing both its contractual and property rights under the Declaration.
II. DISCUSSION
We review a grant of summary judgment de novo. Osborne v. Baxter Healthcare
Corp., 798 F.3d 1260, 1266 (10th Cir. 2015). “The court shall grant summary judgment
if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the
movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). In applying
this standard, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.
Osborne, 798 F.3d at 1266. “Where, as here, we are presented with cross-motions for
summary judgment, we must view each motion separately, in the light most favorable to
the non-moving party, and draw all reasonable inferences in that party’s favor.” Fox v.
Transam Leasing, Inc.,
839 F.3d 1209, 1213 (10th Cir. 2016) (quotations omitted).
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The parties do not dispute that Wyoming law applies. A federal court sitting in
diversity is to “ascertain and apply the most recent statement of state law by the state’s
highest court.” Proctor & Gamble Co. v. Haugen, 222 F.3d 1263, 1280 (10th Cir. 2000)
(quotations omitted). “[W]e are generally reticent to expand state law without clear
guidance from its highest court.” Taylor v. Phelan,
9 F.3d 882, 887 (10th Cir. 1993).
On appeal, Casco argues the district court erred in concluding it breached the
Declaration and therefore lost its right to enforce it. We agree with the district court that
Casco breached the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions and can no
longer enforce its rights, if any, under those provisions. But the district court erred in
concluding Casco lost all its rights under the Declaration, including the property rights to
use the easements established in the Access Easement, Sign, and Parking Spaces
Provisions.
Our analysis divides the issues between the contract and the property disputes.
We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand to the district court.
A. Contractual Rights Under the Covenants
The parties dispute their contractual rights and obligations under the Declaration.
Below, we conclude (1) the Declaration is sufficiently definite and enforceable, (2) the
New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions are contractual, and (3) Casco
breached its contractual obligation under the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle
Provisions. We further hold Casco has no right to redevelop parking spaces or remove
the garbage receptacle and storage shed.
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1. The Declaration Is Enforceable
On appeal, McDonald’s argues the Declaration is unenforceable because it does
not include a time period for performance. Thus, it argues, Casco cannot enforce any
rights under the Declaration. Casco contends the Declaration is sufficiently definite and
enforceable because it identifies the key terms of the agreement and intentionally
excluded a time period for performance.
Under Wyoming contract law, “it is essential that the mutual assent of the parties
to the terms of a contract must be sufficiently definite to enable the court to ascertain
what they are.” Roussalis v. Wyo. Med. Ctr., Inc., 4 P.3d 209, 231 (Wyo. 2000)
(quotations omitted). But “it is not necessary that each term be spelled out in minute
detail.”
Id. (quotations omitted). Only “the essentials of the contract must have been
agreed upon and be ascertainable.”
Id. (quotations omitted). This is because “[t]he law
does not favor the destruction of contracts on the ground of indefiniteness, and if it be
feasible the court will so construe the agreement so as to carry into effect the reasonable
intention of the parties if that can be ascertained.”
Id. (quotations omitted).
To that end, where contracts are silent as to time period, Wyoming courts have
supplied reasonable time frames and enforced the contracts. See Baker v. Speaks, 177
P.3d 803, 806 (Wyo. 2008) (holding if “no time for performance is specified in a
contract, the law implies performance must be within a reasonable time” (quotations
omitted)); Reed v. Wadsworth,
553 P.2d 1024, 1032 (Wyo. 1976) (rejecting the argument
that a land contract was indefinite because “it was silent as to the time of possession” and
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noting, “in the absence of a provision as to the time of performance, a reasonable time is
implied”).
We reject McDonald’s argument that the Declaration is void based on the parties’
failure to specify a time period in the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle
Provisions. Wyoming law directs courts to supply a reasonable time frame when the
contract does not set one. The Declaration is sufficiently definitive and enforceable
despite not having a specified time limit in the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle
Provisions. We will evaluate those provisions under a reasonable time frame.
2. Contractual Provisions in the Declaration
The parties refer to the promises made in the Declaration as covenants. Land use
covenants are “promise[s] to do, or to refrain from doing, certain things with respect to
real property.” Brumbaugh v. Mikelson Land Co., 185 P.3d 695, 701 (Wyo. 2008); see
also Wimer v. Cook,
369 P.3d 210, 218 (Wyo. 2016) (stating covenants impose
“restrictions or conditions on the use of land”). They are “enforceable in equity against
all those who take the estate with notice of them.” Cash v. Granite Springs Retreat
Ass’n, Inc.,
248 P.3d 614, 619 (Wyo. 2011) (quotations omitted). Wyoming case law
most often speaks of restrictive covenants, which are covenants that “restrict a party’s
rights on the land.”
Brumbaugh, 185 P.3d at 701. But the case law also recognizes
covenants that can be “affirmative . . . in nature.”
Id. Unlike easements, which create
property rights, Seven Lakes Dev. Co. v. Maxson,
144 P.3d 1239, 1245 (Wyo. 2006), land
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use covenants create contractual rights that can be “enforced in equity,” Streets v. J M
Land & Developing Co., 898 P.2d 377, 380 (Wyo. 1995).3
The Declaration contains six provisions. Three are land use covenants that create
contractual rights and obligations; three created easements. The following are the land
use covenants:
the New Parking Lot Provision;
the Garbage Receptacle Provision; and
the Fence Provision, which is not at issue on appeal.
Below, we evaluate the parties’ purported rights and obligations under the New
Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions.
3. Casco Breached Its Contractual Obligations by Failing to Replace the Parking
Spaces and the Garbage Receptacle
Casco requests declaratory relief that it has a right to replace the parking lot and
the garbage receptacle and that it can remove McDonald’s storage shed. We hold Casco
has no rights under the Declaration to alter the parking lot, dumpster, or storage shed.
a. Legal background
In interpreting the Declaration, our “goal is to determine and effectuate the
intention of the parties.” Wimer, 369 P.3d at 218 (quotations omitted). “Where an
agreement is in writing and the language is clear and unambiguous, the parties’ intent is
3
See also Wimer, 369 P.3d at 218 (stating real property “[c]ovenants are
contractual in nature and, therefore, we interpret them according to contract law
principles”);
Brumbaugh, 185 P.3d at 701 (same);
Streets, 898 P.2d at 380 (“[A] contract
theory of restrictive covenants, enforceable through the courts, makes sense in
contemplation of modern land use.”).
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to be secured from the four corners of the contract.” Olsen v. Kilpatrick, 161 P.3d 504,
508 (Wyo. 2007) (quotations omitted).
After we ascertain the terms of a contract, we can determine whether there was a
breach. “The elements for a breach of contract claim consist of a lawfully enforceable
contract, an unjustified failure to timely perform all or any part of what is promised
therein, and entitlement of injured party to damages.” Reynolds v. Tice, 595 P.2d 1318,
1323 (Wyo. 1979). The question here is whether Casco’s failure to perform within 11
years was unreasonable. If “no time for performance is specified in a contract, the law
implies performance must be within a reasonable time, and what is a reasonable time
depends upon the circumstances of each case.”
Baker, 177 P.3d at 806 (quotations
omitted). “What constitutes a reasonable time in any particular case is a question of
fact.” G.C.I., Inc. v. Haught,
7 P.3d 906, 909 (Wyo. 2000).
b. Analysis
The mandatory language (“shall”) in the New Parking Lot and Garbage
Receptacle Provisions established that Casco had an obligation to replace and install a
parking lot and garbage receptacle. It breached those provisions by failing to perform
over an 11-year period. It can no longer assert any purported rights under those
provisions.
First, the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions imposed
obligations on Casco. The New Parking Lot Provision provided, “Casco, at its sole
expense, shall install a new parking lot on real property owned by JB’s prior to removing
any of JB’s existing 70 parking spaces.” App. at 28. The Garbage Receptacle Provision
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provided, “Casco, at its sole expense, shall install . . . a garbage receptacle . . . prior to
removing JB’s existing garbage receptacle.” Id.
Casco argues it committed no breach because the two provisions created rights,
not obligations. It argues that “the Declaration does not require Casco (a) to construct a
new parking lot or (b) to relocate the existing garbage receptacle by a date certain.” Aplt.
Br. at 13. Instead, Casco contends, “the Declaration only provides that, before Casco
may exercise a certain right, it must first complete a related task.”
Id. In other words,
Casco reads the Declaration as giving it the option but not the duty to redevelop the lots.
McDonald’s, in contrast, argues the two provisions required Casco to both (1) install
parking spaces and a garbage receptacle, and then (2) remove the existing ones. We
agree with McDonald’s.
The provisions provided, “Casco . . . shall install [a new parking lot or garbage
receptacle] . . . prior to removing [the old parking lot or garbage receptacle.]” App. at 28.
These provisions plainly expressed mandatory language temporally sequencing two
obligations—“shall [1] install . . . prior to [2] removing.” It includes no optional or
conditional language giving Casco the right to remove old items if it installs new ones
first. Rather, the contract required Casco to both “install” new items and then “remove”
old ones.4
4
When an ambiguity exists, Wyoming courts “look to parol evidence to
understand the parties’ intent,” and “resor[t] to rules of construction.” Pennaco Energy,
Inc. v. KD Co. LLC, 363 P.3d 18, 26 (Wyo. 2015). The Declaration is unambiguous, but
even if we looked to parol evidence and rules of construction, our conclusion would
remain unchanged. First, Casco’s president stated in his affidavit that “[i]n order to fully
Continued . . .
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Second, Casco breached the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions
by failing to perform in 11 years. We agree with the district court that the 11-year delay
was unreasonable based on the undisputed facts. By Casco’s own admission, when the
parties entered the Declaration, “JB’s parking spaces and trash receptacle sat within the
access easements. In order to fully utilize the access easements, Casco would be required
to remove parking spaces and the trash receptacle.” App. at 131 (capitalization altered).
Eleven years later, Casco had failed to do so, compromising the utility of the access
easement throughout that entire period.
Casco has failed to cite any record evidence justifying its failure to perform. See
Reynolds, 595 P.2d at 1323 (stating a breach of contract occurs when there is “an
unjustified failure to timely perform”). Casco instead attacks the district court’s ruling by
contending the contract creates rights but not obligations, an argument we rejected above.
Casco’s failure to present facts justifying the delay amounts to a failure to create a
genuine dispute of material facts. Without any evidence justifying the 11-year delay,
there is no genuine dispute of material fact that the delay was unreasonable. Put
differently, a reasonable jury could not return a verdict for Casco based on the undisputed
facts. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.,
477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); see also G.C.I., 7 P.3d
utilize the granted access easements, Casco would be required to relocate JB’s existing
trash receptacle and remove some of []JB’s existing . . . parking spaces.” App. at 149, ¶
15 (emphasis added and capitalization altered). Second, our interpretation follows the
rule of construction that “any ambiguity . . . is construed against the drafter.” Collins v.
Finnell,
29 P.3d 93, 100 (Wyo. 2001). The drafter here was Casco, and if there were
ambiguity in the two provisions, we would construe it against Casco and conclude the
Declaration obligated it to redevelop the new parking lot and garbage receptacle.
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at 909 (affirming a finding that a failure to repair a home, as required under a settlement
agreement, within one year of entering that agreement was unreasonable). We therefore
hold Casco breached the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions.
Third, Casco can no longer assert any purported rights related to the parking lot
and garbage receptacle. As stated, the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle
Provisions created obligations—not rights—for Casco to redevelop the lots. In a separate
argument, Casco contends McDonald’s breached the Declaration by reducing the number
of parking spaces and limiting access to large vehicles, which was not “consistent with
the development plan contemplated by the Declaration and depicted in detail by its
incorporated exhibits.” Aplt. Br. at 9. In other words, Casco attempts to derive
contractual rights from the Declaration’s exhibits that diagram the intended layout of the
lots after Casco’s redevelopment. McDonald’s argues that the doctrine of laches prevents
Casco from redeveloping the lots consistent with the Declaration’s exhibits because
Casco failed to assert its contractual rights for 11 years. We agree.
Under the equitable doctrine of laches, a party cannot assert a right when there
was (1) an “unreasonabl[e] delay in asserting a legal right” and (2) “the delay has worked
injustice, prejudice, or disadvantage to the defendant.”5 Casco has failed to present facts
5
Mullinnix LLC v. HKB Royalty Trust, 126 P.3d 909, 923 (Wyo. 2006); see also
Windsor Energy Grp., LLC v. Noble Energy, Inc.,
330 P.3d 285, 291 (Wyo. 2014)
(stating the defense of laches is “available” in breach of contract actions); Moncrief v.
Sohio Petroleum Co.,
775 P.2d 1021, 1022 (Wyo. 1989) (affirming state district court’s
grant of summary judgment based on laches); Laches, Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed.
2014) (“Unreasonable delay in pursuing a right or claim—almost always an equitable
one—in a way that prejudices the party against whom relief is sought.”).
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justifying its failure to assert its purported contractual rights in an 11-year span. Further,
it is undisputed that Casco’s failure deprived McDonald’s of the benefits contemplated in
the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions. In other words, Casco’s
unreasonable delay prejudiced McDonald’s. We conclude the doctrine of laches bars
Casco from asserting its contractual rights, if any, derived from the Declaration’s
exhibits.
In sum, Casco breached the New Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions,
and the doctrine of laches prevents it from asserting any contractual rights that remain
under the Declaration and its exhibits. Because we have resolved the question at hand—
whether Casco can redevelop the lots—we need not address whether Casco substantially
breached the Declaration. Further, addressing the substantial breach question would not
affect the status of Casco’s property rights in the easement because, as explained below,
(1) the Wyoming Supreme Court has not recognized breach of contract as a method to
terminate easements, and (2) the Declaration states the access and parking easements are
perpetual and cannot be terminated without the parties’ mutual consent. Aplt. App. at 28-
29.6
6
McDonald’s contends Casco’s obligation to perform under the New Parking Lot
and Garbage Receptacle Provisions was the consideration for JB’s to enter into the
Declaration and grant the easements. Thus, McDonald’s argues, Casco’s failure to
perform under those provisions “resulted in the absence of consideration to JB’s.” Aplee.
Br. at 7; see also id. at 12 (stating “JB’s and McDonald’s received no consideration at
all” due to Casco’s breach). We disagree with McDonald’s for two reasons.
First, McDonald’s does not mention that the Declaration was part of a broader real
estate transaction in which Casco paid $125,000 to JB’s. Casco’s payment and promises
to replace the parking lot and garbage receptacle were sufficient consideration to form the
Continued . . .
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B. Property Rights in the Declaration
Three provisions in the Declaration created easements: (1) the Access Easement
Provision, (2) the Sign Provision, and (3) the Parking Spaces Provision. Casco contends
it did not lose its easement rights because Wyoming law does not recognize breach of
contract as terminating an easement. We agree.
1. Legal Background
An easement is an “interest in land [that] entitles the easement holder to a limited
use or enjoyment over another person’s property.” Seven Lakes Dev. Co., 144 P.3d at
1245. Easements have the potential to run with the land and last in perpetuity.
Brumbaugh, 185 P.3d at 701 (“Covenants may also create easements. Such covenants
are typically deemed to be appurtenant and run with the land.”); Jon W. Bruce and James
W. Ely, Jr., The Law of Easements and Licenses in Land § 10:1, Westlaw (database
updated Sept. 2016) (“Easements frequently are created to endure forever.”). Courts and
treatises recognize a limited number of methods to terminate an easement.7 The
contract and acquire the access and sign easements. Casco’s later failure to perform
breached the contract.
Second, to the extent McDonald’s argument is that Casco’s failure to perform was
a substantial breach, we explain below that Wyoming courts have not recognized breach
of contract as a method to terminate easements. We therefore decline to extend
Wyoming law on this point.
Finally, we note that McDonald’s could have enforced its contractual rights
through a breach of contract claim for damages, but did not do so. Rather, it sought
declaratory relief that Casco lost its rights under the Declaration.
7
See, e.g., Stickney v. City of Saco, 770 A.2d 592, 607 (Me. 2001) (citing 3
Richard R. Powell, The Law of Real Property ¶¶ 421-26 (1992)) (“An easement can
be extinguished in five ways: (1) by expiration; (2) by an act of the dominant owner
Continued . . .
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Wyoming Supreme Court has recognized at least the following termination methods:
(1) merger, Davidson Land Co., LLC v. Davidson, 247 P.3d 67, 75 (Wyo. 2011);
(2) misuse, Stephens v. Lavitt,
239 P.3d 634, 640 (Wyo. 2010); (3) adverse possession,
Mueller v. Hoblyn,
887 P.2d 500, 505 (Wyo. 1994); and (4) abandonment, id.; Carney v.
Bd. of Cty. Comm’rs,
757 P.2d 556, 562 (Wyo. 1988).
2. Analysis
The district court erred in concluding Casco lost its property rights under the
Declaration. The easement was not terminated through a method recognized by the
Wyoming Supreme Court. Although we interpret an easement by applying principles of
contract construction, Lozier v. Blattland Invs., LLC, 100 P.3d 380, 384 (Wyo. 2004),
McDonald’s has cited no case in which any court, let alone the Wyoming Supreme Court,
recognized breach of contract as a termination method. Nor has McDonald’s argued
(either by release or abandonment); (3) by the act of the servient owner (by prescription
or conveyance to a bona fide purchaser without notice); (4) by conduct of both parties
(merger or estoppel); or (5) by eminent domain, mortgage, foreclosure, or tax sale.”);
Faulconer v. Williams,
936 P.2d 999, 1002 (Or. Ct. App. 1997), aff’d,
327 Or. 381,
964
P.2d 246 (Or. 1998) (“An easement may be extinguished in several ways: by consent, by
prescription, by abandonment, by merger, or, if it is an easement by necessity, by the
cessation of the necessity.”); Romualdo P. Eclavea et al., 28A C.J.S. Easements §§ 142-
68, Westlaw (database updated Dec. 2016) (recognizing the following termination
methods: merger, abandonment, adverse possession or use, alterations and obstructions
inconsistent with easement, cessation of purpose, cessation of necessity, removal or
destruction of servient estate, occurrence of or noncompliance with conditions, release,
forfeiture for misuser, dedication or appropriation for public use, and estoppel); Mark S.
Dennison, 53 Am. Jur. Proof of Facts 3d 519 § 5, Westlaw (database updated Dec. 2016)
(listing the following termination methods: abandonment, adverse possession, cessation
of purpose, foreclosure, merger of properties, misuse, occurrence of a stated event,
release, sale for taxes).
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another termination method applies. We therefore decline to render a novel application
of Wyoming law without guidance from the Wyoming Supreme Court. Taylor, 9 F.3d at
887 (“[W]e are generally reticent to expand state law without clear guidance from its
highest court.”).
In addition, the Declaration states the access and reciprocal parking easements are
“perpetual” and cannot be modified or terminated without the parties’ mutual consent.
App. at 28-29. This undermines McDonald’s argument that a breach of contract can
extinguish the easements.
We hold Casco maintains its rights to utilize the easements established in the
Access Easement, Sign, and Parking Spaces Provisions of the Declaration. Because the
district court did not address the scope of the parties’ property interests, we do not
address the issue on appeal. Instead, we hold Casco did not lose its rights under the
easements in the Declaration and remand to the district court to address any remaining
issues related to the easements.
III. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for further
proceedings. We (1) affirm the district court’s ruling that Casco breached the New
Parking Lot and Garbage Receptacle Provisions, (2) affirm the district court’s ruling that
Casco cannot alter the parking lot, storage shed, or garbage receptacle, (3) reverse the
district court’s ruling that Casco lost its property rights under the Declaration, and (4)
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remand for the district court to address the sign easement and any other remaining issues
related to the easements.
ENTERED FOR THE COURT,
Scott M. Matheson, Jr.
Circuit Judge
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