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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-1975THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF and MIDPENN ESTATES CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Plaintiff V. TERRY N. BARR and QUINN K. BARR, husband and wife Defendants CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY No. 6 i?'' ) q 7 uM- NOTICE YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to de forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty Complaint and Notice are served, by entering a written appear attorney and filing in writing with the Court your defenses or of forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may prviceeo witnout you and a judgment may be entered against you by the court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP. Cumberland County Bar Association 32 South Bedford Street Carlisle, PA 17013 717-249-3166 800-990-9108 NOTICIA Le han demandado a usted en la corte. Si usted quiere defenderse de estas demandas expuestas en las paginas siguientes, usted tiene viente (20) dias de plazo al partir de la fecha de la demanda y la notification. Usted debe presentar una apariencia escrita o en persona o por abogado y archivar en la corte en forma escrita sus defensas o sus objeciones a las demandas en contra de su persona. Sea avisado que si usted no se defiende, la corte tomara medidas y puede entrar una orden contra usted sin previo aviso notification y por cuaiquier queja o alivio que es pedido en la petition de demanda. Usted puede perder dinero o sus propiedades o otros derechos importantes para usted. LLEVE ESTA DEMANDA A UN ABOGAGO INMMEDIATAMENTE. SI NO TIENE ABOGADO 0 SI NO TIENE EL DINERO SUFICIENTE DE PAGAR TAL SERVICIO, VAY EN PERSONA O LLAME POR TELEFONO A LA OFICINA CUYA DIRECCION SE ENCUENTRA ESCRITA ABAJO PARA AVERIGUAR DONDE SE PUEDE CONSEGUIR ASISTENCIA LEGAL. Cumberland County Bar Association 32 South Bedford Street Carlisle, PA 17013 717-249-3166 800-990-9108 McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC By ILL ( ?- - Helen L. Gemmill (ID No. 60661) 100 Pine Street P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166 Tel: (717) 232-8000 Fax: (717) 237-5300 Attorneys for Plaintiffs The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates Dated: March 28, 2008 2 THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP and MIDPENN ESTATES IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Plaintiff V. TERRY N. BARR and QUINN K. BARR, husband and wife CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY NO. 6j?, _ I g 7 s- c ran ( -f-erM. Defendants COMPLAINT The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, by and through their counsel McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, for their Complaint against Defendants Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, aver as follows: The Parties 1. Plaintiff The McNaughton Properties, LP ("McNaughton Properties") is a Pennsylvania limited partnership with a business address of 4400 Deer Path Road, Suite 201, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110. 2. Plaintiff MidPenn Estates ("MidPenn") is a Pennsylvania general partnership with a business address of 4400 Deer Path Road, Suite 201, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110. 3. Defendants Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, husband and wife, (the "Barrs") are adult individuals with an address of 829 East Winding Hill Road, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Factual Averments A. Chain of Title For The Failor Farm 4. By deed dated January 31, 2007, recorded in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Deed Book 278, page 3090, McNaughton Properties and MidPenn acquired V ownership in a tract of land comprising 142.07 acres in Upper Allen Township known as the "Failor Farm." A true and correct copy of the deed is attached hereto as Exhibit A. 5. As reflected in the January 31, 2007 deed, McNaughton Properties and MidPenn purchased the Failor Farm from Patty Hertzler, as Executrix of the Estate of Dale B. Failor. 6. Dale B. Failor, deceased, and his wife Catherine E. Failor, deceased, (the "Failors") acquired the Failor Farm by deed dated April 1, 1954 recorded in Cumberland County Record Book 15-R, Page 171. A true and correct copy of the deed is attached hereto as Exhibit B. 7. As reflected in the April 1, 1954 deed, the Failors purchased the Failor Farm from E. Allen Turnbaugh and Blanche E. Turnbaugh (the "Turnbaughs") 8. The April 1, 1954 deed from the Turnbaughs to the Failors excepted from the sale a tract of land containing 1.83 acres of land (the 'Reserved Tract"), upon which was located a residence. 9. The Reserved Tract was landlocked, in that it did not border any roadway and was surrounded on all sides by the 142.07 acres sold to the Failors. Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a plan dated June 23, 1953 that shows the Reserved Tract and the 142.07 acres tract acquired by the Failors. 10. To provide for ingress and egress from the Reserved Tract to Long Level Road (now known as East Winding Hill Road), the April 1, 1954 deed reserved to the Turnbaughs the right to use two private lanes, the first private lane running from the Reserved Tract to the second private lane, and the second private lane running to Long Level Road. 11. The April 1, 1954 deed did not delineate the boundaries or location of the two private lanes. 2 B. Chain of Title of the Reserved Tract 12. By deed dated May 22, 1959, the Turnbaughs conveyed the Reserved Tract to Marion de Coux Simpson (Cumberland County Record Book D 19, Page 138). A true and correct copy of the May 22, 1959 deed is attached hereto as Exhibit D. 13. The May 22, 1959 deed granted and conveyed the right to use the two private lanes running from the Reserved Tract to Long Level Road. 14. By deed dated July 16, 1965, Marion de Coux Simpson and her husband Paul E. Simpson conveyed the Reserved Tract to George V. Gregory and Noreen M. Gregory (Cumberland County Deed Book Q21, Page 1006). A true and correct copy of the July 16, 1965 deed is attached hereto as Exhibit E. 15. The July 16, 1965 deed granted and conveyed the right to use the two private lanes running from the Reserved Tract to Long Level Road. 16. By deed dated August 31, 1971, George V. Gregory and Noreen M. Gregory conveyed the Reserved Tract to Harry J. Heiter and Eleanor A. Heiter (Cumberland County Deed Book G24, Page 439). A true and correct copy of the August 31, 1971 deed is attached hereto as Exhibit F. 17. The August 31, 1971 deed granted and conveyed the right to use the two private lanes running from the Reserved Tract to Long Level Road. 18. By deed dated July 5, 1977, Harry J. Heiter and Eleanor A. Heiter conveyed the Reserved Tract to Peter A. Willms and Mary G. Willms (Cumberland County Deed Book H27, Page 117). A true and correct copy of the July 5, 1977 deed is attached hereto as Exhibit G. 19. Unlike the prior deeds in the chain of title, the July 5, 1977 deed did not expressly grant and convey the right to use the two private lanes running from the Reserved Tract to Long Level Road. 3 t 20. By deed dated September 27, 1996 Peter A. Willms and Mary G. Willms conveyed the Reserved Tract to Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr (Cumberland County Deed Book 147, Page 756). A true and correct copy of the September 27, 1996 deed is attached hereto as Exhibit H. 21. The September 27, 1996 deed also did not expressly grant and convey the right to use the two private lanes running from the Reserved Tract to Long Level Road. C. Development of the Failor Farm and Relocation of the Access Way 22. McNaughton Properties and MidPenn Estates intend to develop the Failor Farm for residential housing. 23. McNaughton Properties has filed a Subdivision and Land Development Plan for the Failor Farm with Upper Allen Township. A true and correct copy of the relevant pages of the Subdivision and Land Development Plan are attached hereto as Exhibit I. 24. The Subdivision and Land Development Plan complies with the Township Ordinances and Pennsylvania regulations regarding width of streets, turning angles, and sight distances. 25. As shown on the Plan, McNaughton Properties and MidPenn Estates desire to relocate slightly the existing access to the Reserved Tract, such that the access will now follow the public streets to be constructed and avoid building lots. 26. The proposed relocated access will result in a more direct route between the Reserved Tract and East Winding Hill Road that traverses a roadway designed to accommodate emergency vehicles in compliance with Township Ordinances. 27. The Barrs have objected to the proposed relocation of the access way to the Reserved Tract. 4 Count I - Declaratory Judgment 28. The foregoing paragraphs of the Complaint are incorporated by reference as though set forth in full herein. 29. The Barrs are not entitled to access their property over the precise boundaries of the existing private lanes. 30. Under Pennsylvania law, a court can compel relocation of an access way if that relocation would not substantially interfere with the holder's use and enjoyment of the right of way and the relocation advances the interests of justice. 31. Here the relocation will not substantially impair the Barrs' access to the Reserved Tract. 32. The relocated access is safer than the existing private lanes because of the shorter distance and the improved emergency vehicle access. 33. The relocated access is only a minor change from the existing access. 34. Plaintiffs have a substantial need for the relocation of the access way as it allows the safe and beneficial development of the Failor Farm in compliance with Township ordinances and Pennsylvania regulations. 35. McNaughton Properties and MidPenn will grant and convey to the Barrs an express easement over the relocated access across the Failor Farm for consideration of One Dollar. 5 WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request that the Court declare that Plaintiffs are legally entitled to relocate the access to and from East Winding Hill Road to the Reserved Tract as reflected on the Subdivision and Land Development Plans filed with Upper Allen Township McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC By UU, Helen L. Gemmill (ID No. 60661) 100 Pine Street P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166 Tel: (717) 232-8000 Fax: (717) 237-5300 Attorneys for Plaintiffs The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates Dated: March 28, 2008 6 VERIFICATION Subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. G.S. §4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities, 1 hereby certify that I am authorized to make this verification on behalf of The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, that I have reviewed the foregoing and that the facts set forth therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. Francis C. McNatu ?h Dated: March, 2008 C 't 4 '2, (4 4q)YI :z;e a". a?i . ?'sr =?EC ??11EED? INS AN 31 PM 12 `II Tax Parcel Number: MADE THE - U day of , in the year of our Lord two thousand and seven (2007). L17 - BETWEEN Patsy Hertzler, as Executrix of the Estate of DALE B. FAILOR, deceased, late of the Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Grantor, and The McNanghton Properties, LP, A Pennsylvania Limited Partnership [70%] and KdPenn Estates, a Pennsylvania General Partnership [30•/], both entities with a business address of 4400 Deer Path Road, Suite 201, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Grantees. WHEREAS, the said Dale B. Failor, was vested in his lifetime with title to the premises hereinafter described, partly in the Township of Upper Allen and partly in the Township of Lower Allen, County of Cumberland and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, the said Dale B. Failor, departed this earthily life, testate, on the 7th day of May, 1996, and Letters Testamentary were duly issued to the said Patsy A- Hertzler, by the Register of Wills of said Cumberland County, docketed to No. 21-96-0413; and WHEREAS, the lands herein-mentioned were not specifically devised: NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH, that the said Patsy A. Hertzler, Execirtrix, as aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of FOUR hULLION ONE HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND and N*n00 hs ($4,140,000.00) DOLLARS, and other good and valuable considerations, to her in hand paid by the said Grantees, at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, has granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released, and confirmed, and by these presents, by virtue of the power and authority in her vested by the Fiduciaries Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, does grant, bargain, sell, alien, release, and confirm unto the said Grantees, its successors and assigns: TRACT ! ALL that certain tract of land, with the improvements thereon erected, situate in the Township of Upper Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point in a public road, known as Long Level Road, st corner of lands now or formerly of David Bowman Estate; thence along said road North 44 degrees West two thousand four hundred eighty-five and fifty-six one-hundredths (2,485.56) feet to an oak tree on, the east side of said road at corner of lands now or formerly of 1. W. Miller; thence along lands of same North 67 degrees East one thousand four hundred sixty-three and twenty-two one hundredths (1,463.22) feet to a lime stone monument at corner of lands of the said I. W. Miller and Daniel H. Ritter; thence along lands formerly of D. R. Miller, now or late of Daniel H. Ritter North 73 degrees East one thousand thirty-five and fifty-four one-hundredths (1,035.54) feet to a cherry tree; thence by shme North 25 degrees West one hundred and sixty-five (165) feet to an iron pin; thence by same North 63 degrees East eighty-seven and forty-five one-hundredths (87.45) feet to an iron pin at corner of lands formerly of Mrs. J. O. Saxton, now or late of Ray p00x 27s I' Detweiler; thence by lands now or late of said Roy Detweiler South 44 degrees East two thousand four hundred fifty-two and fifty-six one-hundredths (2,452.56) feet to a stone at corner of lands formerly of Levi Musselman, now or We of Arthur Coover, thence by lends now or late of Arthur Coover South 46 degrees 45 minutes West one thousand six hundred eighty and thirty- six one-hundredths (1,680.36) feet to a stone at comer of land nor or late of David Bowman Estate; thence by lands of same North 42 degrees 30 minutes West seven hundred eighty-four and seventy-four one-hundredths (784.74) feet to an iron pin; thence by same South 49 degrees 30 minutes West seven hundred ninety-nine and fifty-nine one-hundredths (799.59) feet to a point in the aforesaid public road, the place of BEGINNING. Containing 143 Acres 144 Perches of land. EXCEPTING AND RESERVING from the above described tract of land and from this conveyance, the following described tract of land situate in the aforesaid Township, County and State: ALL that certain tract of land and the improvements thereon erected, bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a rock oak tree, which tree is North 86 degrees 30 minutes East two hundred ninety-eight (298) feet from the lime stone monument at corner of lands of I. W. Miler and Daniel H. Ritter, thence by lands hereinbefore described, of which this was a part, North 79 degrees 30 minutes East two hundred seventy-eight (278) feet to an iron pin; thence by same South 10 degrees 30 minutes East two hundred and ninety-four (294) feet to a post; thence by same North 88 degrees 45 minutes West three hundred and thirty-nine (339) feet to an iron pin; thence by some North 2 degrees 30 minutes East two hundred and thirty-three (233) feet to the aforesaid rock oak tree, the place of BEGINNING. Containing 1.83 acres of land. The tract of land herein conveyed contains 142.07 Acres of land. This conveyance is made subject to the following express conditions and reservations: SUBJECT, NEVERTHELESS, to the right of E. Allen Tumbaugh, his heirs and assigns, to the free and wdnwmq tad use, liberty and privilege of and passage in and along a certain private lane loading from the tract of land herein excepted and reserved to the lane leading from Long Level Road to the buildings situate on the tract of land herein conveyed. The Grantees, its successors and assigns, to have the right and privilege of crossing said private lane with its farm machinery and equipment for the purpose of gaining access to the tract of land herein conveyed. SUBJECT, FURTHER, to the right of E. Allen Turbaugh, his heirs and assigns, to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty, and privilege of, and passage in and along, in common with the said Grantees, its successors and assigns, that certain private lane leading from the said Long Level Road to the lane hereinbefore mentioned. SUBJECT, ALSO, to the right and privilege of E. Allen Tumbaugh, his heirs and assigns, to use the lands herein conveyed and adjacent to the above described talus for the purpose of gaining access to the public road above mentioned in the event the said lane or lanes become impassable for travel by reason of snow, ice or sleet. AND SUBJECT FURTHER, to any and all easements, rights-of--way now existing upon, over or through said tract of land. BEING PART OF those same premises which E. Allen Tumbaugh (also known as Edward A. Tumbaugh) and Blame W. Tumbaugh, his wife, by their deed dated April 1, 1954 and recorded in the Recorder's Office aforesaid in Dad Book "R", Volume 15, Page 171, granted and conveyed to Date B. Failor and Catherine E. Failor, his wife. The said Catherine E. Failor departed this earthly life on November 30, 1992, whereupon full and absolute title to the said premises vested in the said bale B. Failor by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania incident to tenancies by the entireties. His said Estate is the Grantor herein. bon 278 PACE3091 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said messuage or tenement and tract of land, hereditaments and premises hereby granted and released, or mentioned and intended so to be, with the appurtenances, unto the said Grantees, its successors and assigns, to and for the only proper use and behoof of the said Grantees, its successors and assigns, forever. AND THE SAID GRANTOR, Executrix, as aforesaid, her successors and assigns does covenant, promise and agree to and with the said Grantees, its successors and assigns, by these presents, that the Grantor has not done, committed any act, matter or thing whatsoever whereby the premises hereby granted, or any part thereot is, are, shall or may be impeached, charged or encumbered in title, or otherwise howsoever. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Executrix of the Estate of Dale B. Failor, deceased, Grantor herein, has hereunto set her hand and seal the day and year first above written. Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of. Atz-4"(' Ii (SEAL) PATSY HER eeutriz of the Estate of DALE B. FAILOR, Deceased y ? ? 1 OC ? f?l • . ?3 M ?r y e ON+. '? .F . 806K 278 PAGE3093 $ A g _ --i .w ??'. p N N .a ? O J (m py yQ r ,1 . ? f+ r 0 4?N O lO !??? N t pp ? /? O S S S u S O S C. C. .wi COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA ) ` SS: COUNTY OF v ) On this, the ?Ofl- day of L Al AD , A.D. 2007, before me a notary blic, in and for the Commonwealth of Pent ia, personally appeared PATSY A. ) to be the person whose name is subscribed p1bILM HERTZLER, known to me (or satisfactorily Executrix of the Last Will and Testament of Dale B. Failor, and acknowledged that she ecuted the same in such capacity. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand an official seal. Ja,:o- Lim= N Public COMMONWEAL" ofParrasYiv t ,?,? taw. v taw My commission expires: ???ry Pubic aNQannl?on•.1.n too (SEAL) MMw?r. n4 AaotlNlen d Nqu1y pu as ex Grantee is: I Certify this to be recorded In Cumberland County PA Wrnc 278 ncE$0 . ?? Recorder of Deeds CERTIFIU77, OF RESIDENCE IA K PAGE 1 11 201.C] a.n •?.ry 1?... .a. r,rhn ?.•? . • .vr II-Y Hell. I.e.. (. a -e. P., Tbt"5 ;Drebt 3j*111b ' file / 49 ttrtll of a.*--e in IIf0. f/Ptt rif 4trr l.nrd firer thnttxitit,I pil/r htt/trlro- d and fifty-four (1954). BrllDern E. ALLEN TURNBAUGH (Also known as EDWARD A. TURNBAUGH) an BLANCHE E. TURNBAUGH, his wife, of the Township of Upper Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, hereinafter called the --°_-?------ ---------°__._,-----__°---- ------ I:rrtulr.rg tttt,l DALE B. FAILOE and CATHERINE E. PAILCR, his wife, of the Township of Lower Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsyl• aniap hereinafter called the -------------- - rrh? tlitr!-ila t;r,n.?ir>!rru.tinn a y Thousand (=30,000.00) -- Thirt --- -------_- 11ri1111 lr in htr./t4 paint, thr' r'PrCipt rrlirreor'is hereby tateknult'lPtltrod. lhr suit/;irrtntor s rl!> hrrrbrt ,+rrrut rand runnel/ In the xrtieY orrtntre a ALL th$t certain tract of land, with the improvements thereon erected, situate in the Township of Upper Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, bounded and described as follows, to wit;-' BEGINNING at a point in a public road, known as Lang Level Road, at corner of lands now or formerly of David Bowman Estate; thence along said road North forty-four (44) degrees West two thousand four hundred eighty-five and fifty-six one-hundredths (2485.56) feet to an oak tree on the east side of said road at corner of lands now or formerly of 1. We Miller; thence along lands of same North sixty-seven (67) degrees East one thousand four handre4 sixty-three and twenty-two one-hundredths (1463.22) feet to a lime stone monument at corner of lands of the said I We Miller and Daniel H. Bitter; thence along lands formerly of D. R. Miller, now or late of Daniel H. Bitter North seventy-three (73) degrees East one thousand, thirty-five and fifty-four one- hundredths (1035.54). feet to a cherry tree; thence by same North twenty-five (25) degrees West one hundred and sixty-five (165) feat to an Iron pin; thence.by same North sixty-three (63) degrees East eixthty-seven and forty-five one,hundredthe (87. 5) feet to an iron pin at corner of lands formerly of Mrs. J. 0. Saxton, now or late of Roy Detweiler; thence by lands now or late of said Roy Detweiler South forty-four (44) degrees East two thousand four hundred fifty-two and fifty-six one-hundredths (2452.56) feet to a stone at corner of lands formerly of Levi Musselman, now or late o Arthur Coover; thence by lands now or late of Arthur Coover South forty-six (46) degrees forty-five (45) minutes West one thousand six hundred eighty and thirty-six one-hundredths(1680e36) feet to stone at corner of land now or late of David Bowman Estate; thence by lands of same North forty-two (42) degrees thirty (30) minutes West seven hundred eighty-four and seventy-roux one-hundredths (784.74) feet to an iron pin; thence by same South forty-nine (49) degrees(30) thirty minutes West seven hundred ninety-nine and fift nine one-hundredths (799.59) feet to a point in the aforesaid publ road, the place of BEGINNING. Containing 143.acres 144 perches. EXCEPTING AND RESERVING from the above described tract of la and from this conveyance, the following described tract of land situate in the aforesaid Township, County and State: ALL that certain tract of land and the improvements thereon erected, bounds and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a rock oak tree, a??n15 R ???1i? which tree is North eighty-six (86) degrees thirty (30) minutes East two hundred ninety-eight (298) feet from the lime stone monument at corner of lands of I. W. Miller and Daniel H. Ritter; thence by lands hereinbefore described, of which this was a part, North seventy-nine (79) degrees thirty (30) minutes hest two hundred seventy-eit (278) feet to an iron pin; thence by same South ten (10) degrees thirty (30) minutes East two hundred and ninety-four (294) feet to a post; thence by same North eighty- eight (88) degrees forty-five (us) minutes west three hundred4iA thirty-nine (339) feet to an iron pin; thence by same North trig (2) degrees thirty (30) minutes East two hundred and thirty-three (233) feet to the aforesaid rock oak tree, the place of BEGINNING. Con- taining 1.83 acres of land. The tract of land herein conveyed contains one hundred forty-.two and seven hundredths (142.01h acres of land. BEING part of the same premises which Lemoyne Trust Company, Executor of the Last Will and Testament of John I. Miller, by its Deed dated March 130 19)9, and recorded in the Recorder's Office in and for said CumberlAnd County in Deed Book "Y", Vol. 11, Page 276, granted and conveyed unto E. Allen Tirnbaugh, one of the Grantors herein. This conveyance is made subjeet•to the followiag express conditions and reservations: SUBJECT NEVERTHELESS, to the right of the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty and privilege of, and passage in and along a certain private lane leading from the tract of land herein excepted and resorved to the lane leading from Long Level Road to the buildings situate on the tract of land herein conveyed. The. Grantees, their heirs and assigns, to have the right and privilege of crossing said private lane with their farm machinery and equipment for the purpose of gaining access to the tract of land herein conveyed. SUBJECT FURTHER, to the right of the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty, and privilege of, and passage in and along, in common with the said Grantees, their heirs and assigns, that certain private lane leading from the said Long Level Road to the lane hereinbefore mentioned. SUBJECT ALSO, to the right and privilege of the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, to use the lands herein conveyed and adjacent to the above described lanes for the purpose of g,:ining access to the public road above mentioned in the event the said lane or lames become impassable for travel by reason of snow, ice or sleet. AND SUBJECT FURTHER to any and all easements, rights-of-way now existing upon, over or through said tract of land. I ell )5 x ? I by-? C- EXHIBIT "A" U 4 M E L Sr\?17 y' CFo`^feacr? -. D. R. M N. R L E R' r r E R ILI t t G ? ?w Iw?M.r yA,CO?A?is Aa. ?? ? ? Q ctw?wr?Cna ? ` < CSR osom q RCA s /?Lpp AttGS ?rWigc t ?, 3 0 N M 0 3b y a _ V• ?. RECHEL x 31t?! rOR . • ,' / r- ?'"-a s ? 17 3how,n9 P rf e?w Pro t r 190red From s EdWq?D A 8- BCANC ?,, 2 HE L rURAl",,, y 6 --?? 044z B. b/y GATHE,P/NE FFq/GOR R r o Ac t e,v rryP Cum a. co, PA -- M e N 1 R .300 00 Ju.??-23rd,/yS3 A R Confoin/n ? -9 1 \ L c , 9 14& CPES ?FoRm LR LYI 1 i?. , b f ? ?x i OF TW MCOR ! OF EEW l 09 9 ? emnLAN'D Ma I atAD&' THE .$? at the day of our lord one ..rwand nine hundred fifty-nine (,f 959 ) in the year REt WEF.N E. ALLEN TU9NBAUC,H (also known as Edward and ALANCHB E. TURMAUGH I Upper Allen, his wife A. 1ltrnbaugh) . of the Township of ?nla, harelnafteryoaf Cumberland and State of Penneyl_ d the MARION de COtM SINPSQN of the City l:ra„r,.re, Of Dauphin and State of( P r'"Ylvaniar herviall, Count]' i Tter called I I w1r,"' SSTN, - 17-111'.. _ - _ w `----- i,_rmt?rleMa. of _2ho°aty_flue Tt'ou[+anl1 ($25,000.00)_ that a,wf Paid, t ree«pt wAe"Of u streby aaAeewl -_- -- --- -Dalian Hogue„ M th r +a"t M ."x . ALL the °??' !A------------------ t Qaid p,vator a 'j. A ;improvements thereon erected s ??1n tract of land and yhc grant :County of Cumberland end Stage of Pte lr the Township of Upper Allen, ibounded gad d9ecribed as follows, Pennsylvania, more particularly zBolliNI1.0 at a rock oak tree, which tray thirty is North eighty six from thellmeat_ minutes asst two hundr,ad nynsty-aighL (-, iDaniel H. $ittar?e monument at corner of lan 8) feet of I. W- Miller and which the tracer; hence by lends of pale ds S, of ' rgre herein ds( d was forme and rly . Catherine North Iller, a seventy- ! 1°S? ffee de4rass thirt3" f30) minutes Salt tw .aoe? 'thirty tm an Arco pin: o thence by hundred same So o a uth ton hand,art (10) degreesiBht 3) inutes ea Fa st tw thence by same North e and ninety-four (294) feet to a aanuLes crest three hundred a hthirt t (88 de)grave fortY-Ilve (43) 1-11103 andath North two tharty M degreeeythirty 1(j0) feetto iron pin. -three (233) feet to the aforesaid r° AOak st tree, the place of BEGINNING. contalnSng 1.83 doers of lend. BETNO part of the same a t of the last dil Premla°v which Lemoyne Trust Company, i Me dated and Testament of John nd for eaidaCu Berl and 1939, and recorded in the $ecordar' a ,Ofyiits ya o ?hereina and conveyed uatoE tAllen 4urabaugh,Yorievof?the'Cran?o276? asstE =reGrante gh conveying unto the ea3d G !privilege of antee, her , the riplrt to the free and luunterrurentc heirft arm Pted , and psses in arul along a Qer use , libarty and Leval load to rein from the tract of land he conveyed to the lsnerlead?ingsfnaa ?nngl the b'uldings situate leads oftOeyad to Dale a . and Catherine E, g tho troet of land heretoforee ?Catherine Uthering .' to the rights and egeor. UNDER AND fi Railor, his privilege of the said Dglcj3. , I lPrlvate lane with the hie f wir°, their hairs and ass A P,n6,yp DrosndeaSdeclul ? of gaininh thetractaOeland and tof Pment for the purpose C--tore er.jn u to heroofore conveyed by the in unto the said D.I. a. F41.1or and Catherine E. pallor i r1t1so granting unto the said Grantee +r+idhto the free and uninterrupted UL, + her heirs and sssS n3, the 1 Paeeage In and along, icommon with tllbrty, heeseid Failore?Algae of. their pox AJA r'r139 heirs aad assigns, that certain private lane leading from the said Long Level Road to the lane hereinbefore mentioned. Also granting unto the said Grantee, her helre and assign, the right and privilege to use the lands heretofore conveyed to said Failors and adjacent to the above described lanes for the purpose of gaining eeoees to the public load above-mentioned in the event the said lane or lanes become impassable for travel by reason of anow, ice or sleet. AND STMECT PUHTM to alyr and all easamente and rights-of-ways Ian may now exist upon, over and through said traot of land. i The Bald rights-of-way herein conveyed to the Grantee are the same an those reserved to the Grantors E. Allen Turnbaugh, In hie deed dated the first day of April 1954 and recorded 1n the aPflee of the Recorder of Deeds In and for Cumberland County, Pennsylvania In Deed book 'R•, Volume. 15, Page 171 to Dale B. Pallor and Catherine E. Pallor, his wife. The location of the said rights-of-ray herein conveyed are more exactly Shorn In the sketch of a oertaie survey made by w. C. Rechel, Registered surveyor, dated June 2?, 1953, attaohod-hareto and Grade Ia part hereof. f j i - 11 1 M. I r f `. ?Xl??bit 21 PALE 100ii ?U'?,?G?l,•r _mwO If 4DE THE day of in the yew of ow lard one thousand nine hun" sixty-five (1196?)' BETWEEN MARION de COUX SIMPSON, in her right, and PAUL F. SIMPSON, her husband, of the Township of Upper Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, hereinafter called the Grantors, and GEORGE V. GREGORY and NOREEN M. GREGORY, his wife, of the Township of Lower Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, hereinafter called the Grantee s: ]9lTNESSSETH, that in eonsidcmNon of Twenty Thousand ($20,000.00) -------- ---------- --- --------------- --------------------------- DoUltril, in luind paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said gouxtor s do hereby grant and convey to the said gmnteas, ALL that certain tract of land and the improvements thereon erected, situate in the Township of Upper Alli County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, more particularly bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a rock oak tree, which tree is North eighty-&IN (86) degrees thirty (30) minutes East two hundred ninety-eight (298) feet from the lime stone monument at corner of lands of I.W. Miller and Daniel H. 'Ritter; thence by lands of Dale B. and Catherine Failc of which the tract herein described was formerly a part, North seventy-nine (79) degrees thirty (30) minutes East two hundred seventy-eight (278) feet to an iron pin; thence by same South ten (10) degrees thirty (30) minutes East two hundred ninety-four (294) feet to a post; thence by same North eighty-eight (88) degrees forty-five (45) minutes West three hundred thirty-nine (339) feet to an iron pin;thence by same North two (2) degrees thirty (30) minutes East two hundred thirty-three (233) feet to the aforesaid rock oak tree, the place of BEGINNING. Containing 1.83 acres of land. BEING the same premises which E. Allen Turnbuagh (also known as Edward A. Turnbaugh) and Blanche E. Turnbaugh, his wife, by their deed dated May 22, 1959, and recorded in the Recorder's Office in and for said Cumberland County in Deed Book "D", Vol. 19, Page 138, granted and conveyed unto Marion de Cou:c Simpson, one of the grantors herein. Granting and conve?ing unto the said grantees, their heirs and assigns, the right to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty and privilege of, and passage in and along a certain private lane leading from Long Level Road to the buildings situate on the tract of land heretofore conveyed to Dale B. and Catherine E. Failor. UNDER AND SUBJECT, NEVERTHELESS, to the rights and privilege of the said Dale B. and Catherine.E. Failor, his wife, their heirs and assigns, to cross said private lane with their farm machinery and equipment for the purpose of gaining access to the tract of land heretofore conveyed by the said E. Allen Turnbaugh (also known as Bdward A. Turnbaugh) rnA.Alanche E. Turnbaugh, his wife, unto the said Dale B. Failor and Catherine E. Failor. Also granting unto the said grantees, their heirs and assigns, the right to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty, and JJ I? .•/JI'ie ?i7C s. I' School Dill. Cumb. Co. PaL . 1% reeltetele4netler flr _ ' . i privilege of, and passage in and along, in Common with the said PailOts, their heirs and assigns,the that certain private lane leading from the said Long Level Road to lane hereinbefore mentioned. Also granting unto the said grantees, their heirs and assigns, the right and privilege :o use the lands heretofore i conveyed to said Failors and adjacent to the above described lanes for the purpose of gaining access to the public road above- mentioned in the event the said lane or,lanes become impassable for travel by reason of snow, ice or sleet. AND SUBJECT FURTHER to any and all easements and rights- of-ways as may now exist upon, over and through said tract of land, The said rights-of-way, herein convoyed to the grantees are the same as those reserved to the grantor, E. Allen Turnn the baugh, in his dead dated the first day of April 1954 andCumberlandrecordedCounty Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for , in the Pennsylvania in Deed Book "2t% volume 15, Page 171 to Dale a, , his AllenrTurnbaugheandeBlan helE. Turnbaufh, his wifeh bye said E. ? their deed dated May 22, 1959, and recorded in,the Recorder's office aforesaid in Deed Book "D", vol.. 19, Page 1381 granted and con- veyed unto Marion de Coux Simpson, one of the grantors herein. The location of the said rights-of-way herein conveyed are more exactly shown in the sketch of a certain survey made by W.G. Rechel, Registered surveyor, dated June 2y to and made a part of deed from E.. 3, 1953, attached Allen Turnbaugh and Blanche i E. Turnbaugh, his wife, to Marion de Cen Simpson. r BDDX Q 21 rxE1007 r 1 r Fx?'sb}+ ? n..., 4 of floe. sra Rau, far, Iatf.sr Pa. ?r MADE THE -? ? day of J6? ?r"a' fill is the yaw of our Lord one thouscad sins h:afdrs¢ and Seventy-One (1971) . BI:TWEAW .GEORGE V. GREGORY -and NOREEN M. GREGORY, his wife, of the'Township of Upper Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, Gra eme s, and. HARRY J. REITER and ELEANOR A. BEITER, his wife, of th Borough of Mechanicsburg, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsyl- vania, • Grantee s: WIMRSSETH, that in wnsidcmNdn of Thirty-five Thousand Nina Hundred---- ---------- Do °-'-°°°° °-°° ($35,900.00) --------------- Dollars, in hand paid, the receipt'whefroof is hereby adonowkdpsd, the said graaftors do hereby grant. and convey to tlis said mantes s, ALL that certain tract of land and the improvements'thereon'erected, situate in the Townahip of Upper Allen, _ County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, more paxticularly bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a rock oak treer which tree is North'Eighty-six (86) degrees Thirty (30) minutes East Two Hundred Ninety-eight (298) feet from the lime stone monument at corner of lands of I. W. Miller and Daniel H. Ritter; thence by lands of.Dale B. and Catherine. Failor, of which the tract herein described was formerly a part, North Seventy-nine (79) degrees'Thirty (30) minutes East Two Hundred Seventy-eight (278) feet to an iron pin; thence by same South Ten (10) degrees Thirty (30) minutes Bait Two Hundred pinety-four (294) feet to a posts thence by same North Eighty-eight (8$) degrees Forty-five (45) minutes west Three Hundred Thirty-nine '(339) feet to an iron pin; thence by same North'Two (2) degrees Thirty (30) minutes East Two Hundred Thirty-three. (233) feet to the aforesaid rock oak tree, the place of BEGINNING. CONTAINING 1.83 acres of land. BEING the same premises which Marion de Coux Simpson and Paul E. Simpson, her husband, by their'Deed dated July 16, 1965 and re- corded in the Recorder's Office in and for said Cumbexland.County in Deed Book "Q", Volume 21, Page 1006, granted and conveyed unto George. V. Gregory and Noreen M. Gregory, his wife, the Grantors herein. GRANTING AND CONVEYING-unto the said Grantees, their heirs a and nd assigns, the right to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty leading from Long LevelaRoadetonthedbdalong a ilddngs certain situate private an the tract of land heretofore conveyed to Dale B. and Catherine E. Failor. R AND of theUsaid DaleS8.Ja doCaNEVERTHELESS to therine E. i ilor,?ehis rights their heirs and assigns, to cross said private-lane with their farm machinery and equipment for the purpose of gaining access to the tract of land heretofore conveyed by the said E. Allen Turnbaugh (also known as Edward A. Turnbaugh) and Blanche E. Turnbaugh, his wife, unto the said Dale B. Failor and Catherine E. Failor. ALSO granting unto the said grantees, their heirs and assigns,. the right to the free and uninterrupted use,- liberty, and privilege of, BCC XA4?iGE 439 and passage in and Along, heirs and assigns, in common WitI% the said Failors, their Lon Le at certain private lane leading from the said 4 vel Road to the 'lane hexeinbefore mentioned. right and pving unto the said grantees, th? their heirs and assigns, said Failors andivadlace to use the lands heretofore conveyed to purpose of eat to the the gaining acces above described lanes for the s to the public road above mentioned in the event the said lane or lanes became impassable for of snow, ice or sleet. travel by reason AND subject further to any and all easements and rights-of- ways as may now exist upon, ever and through said tract of land. THE said rights-of-waY herein conveyed to the grantees are the same as those reserved to the grantor, E. Allen Turnbaugh, in his Deed dated the first day of April, 1954, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and 195 said Cumberland County, Failorl and Catharine E?oFail or, V his Q 1.5, Page 171, to Dale B. Wife, Turnbaugh and Blanche E, Turnbaugh, his wife,; byitheireDeedddated Ma 22 Allen Deed Book95p" and recorded in the Recorder's office aforesaid in de COUx gimps' Volumeo19, Page 138, granted and conveyed unto Marion One grantors in the preceding Deed. THE location of the said rights-°f-way herein conveyyed are more exactly shown in the sketch of a certain survey made b Rechel, Registered Surveyor, dated June 23, 1953, attached to and made a part of died from E: Y W. G. Allen wife, to Marion de Coux ees Turnbaugh and Blanche Z, T p on. urnbaugh, BQ K ,,?(24Pid 440 i c r I 1 E ?xh,b+ E f 2ur-Warranly Deed, Tti•.o 'ckno'Mcdgmerts H"'y Hall, Int., Indiana, Pa. 19 ? Sio 3fADE THE dr,I? of MW _ of our Lord one thousand nine hundred SEVENTY SEVEN (14 ) 1 / in the year BETIVEELV HARRY J. HEITER and ELEANOR A. HEITER, his wife of Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania hereinafter called GRANTORS and PARTIES OF THE FIRST PART e- A N D _ c- PETER A. WILr24S and MARY G. WILLMS, his wife of Meehan- DC icsburg, Cumberland County Pennsylvania., called GRANTEES and PARTIES OF THE SECOND PARTinafter L Of the second part, WITVESSETH, that the said part j es of the first part, for and in consider. ation of the suet of - r1 TY NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND NO1100 -----------------($59,900.00)------ lafvful money of the United States of Amcrica unto them ------ Dollars, well paid by the said part ies of the second part, al and before the scaling and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have bargained, sold, alielted, enfeoffed, released, conveyed and confirmed, and granted grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfcoff, release, convey and conjnn unto the said by these part i eresents s o f the second part. their heirs, and assigns, ALL that certain, tract of land and the improvements thereon erf-cted, situate in the Township of Upper Allen, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, more particularly bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a rock oak tree, which tree is North 86 degrees 30 minutes East 298 feet from the lime stone monument at corner of lands of I. W. Miller and Daniel H. Ritter; thence by lands of Dale B. and Catherine Failor, of which the tract herein described was formerly a part, North 79 degrees 30 minutes East 278 feet to an iron pin; thence by same South degrees 30 minutes East 294 feet to a post; thence by same North 88 degrees 45 minutes West 339 feet to an iron pin; thence by same North 2 degrees 30 minutes East 233 feet to the aforesaid rock oak tree, the place of BEGINNING. CONTAINING 1.83 acres of land. BEING the same premises which Marion de Coux Simpson and Paul E. Simpson, her husband, by their Deed dated July 16, 1965 and recorded in the Recorder's Office in and for said Cumberland County in Deed Book "Q", Volume 21, Page 1006, granted and conveyed unto George V. Gregory and Noreen M. Gregory, his wife, the Grantors herein. Under and subject nevertheless to easements and rights-ofway, as contained in prior instructions afore-recorded, BEING THE SAME PREMISES which George V. Gregory and Noreen M. Gregory, his wife, by deed dated August 31, 1971 and recorded in Deed Book G, Volume 24, Page '440, granted and conveyed unto Harry J. Heiter and Eleanor A. Heiter, his wife, the Grantors herein. /I To-aship .f <<"1 . ....: l i ??-- Curab. Co., Pa. 17 Gat E,f.f. T-1 fu 7.: Comb. Cs. Dist. C.J. School Dist. Cumb. Co., Pa. oat. I » Re.1 E.n.l. T,-f., T.. q - i ! /r C.mb. C., 04t. C.I. Aqf. ' COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA = DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE PEALTY (1 TRANSFER JUL-1'77 5 9 :7. Q o P.B.111E2 BOOK A/"7 FACE ?,?7. TOGETHEti tcith all aped singular, the said property, ineprrovcme+cts, ways, uutcrs, cagier ? courses, rights, liberties, privileges, hereditamenls and aplrurtenarues whatsoever thereunto be- lunUrno, or in anywise appertaining , amt the reversions and re t enances, ghats, issues erand thereof, and all the estate, right, tiEk, interest, property, claim and e part ies of the first demand whatsoever, of the said eve in law, equity or otherwise howsoever, of, in and to the same and 'Y Part thereof, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said aforementioned heredstaments and premises hereby granted or mentioned, and intended so to be, with the appurte- unto the said part ies of the second part, of he e it and for the only their Y proper use and behoof of the said part ies t heirs and assigns, to heirs and assigns forever. second part, their the said part ies Of the and administrators, do o first part, for their by these presents covenant, grant and agree to and heirs, exeors part ies said of the second with thes the said part ies f the fir-it part, and their h-zr.1, part, their heirs and assigns that ments and premises hcreinuab v described an granted or Inentioned and and tended the heredit with the appurtenances, unto the said part ies of the second part, their h so to be, with against. them the said art ies lairs and instals and every other person or p of the fast part and their heirs, and against all part thereof persons whmnsoevar lawfully claiming, or to Clain: the smme or any generally set fill W'TNESS V?HEREOF, the said part ies their hands and seal s• Dated the day of the first part ha ve and Year first above written. to these presents -r+`igurD, *rafral unl -7r[iurrr? ', t Fiarrl- iT.' Heiter sorer: in :fir lJrrarr:rr of - --------- _ L nor -r •---... .. tiLAL .............. -.... »..... -- Received the day of the date of the above Indenture of the above named the surn of Dollar,; lawful money of the United States, being the consideration money above mentioned in full, Witness- shall and will warrant and forever defend. B00I(4/ "7 PAGE 118 f_ State of Pennsylvania County of Cumberland as. On this, the v 11 day o = (; . the undersigned o veer, f before me, ll , PersoyucUy appeared ?? . Harry J. Heiter and Eleanor A. Heiter, his wife knourn to yne (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person s whose names within instncynent, and acknowledged that e are subscribed to the y contained. 1 executed same for the ;purposes therein In u-fitness 2ohereof, r hereyc sto set y ha ./ 1 nd,a4d official seal. _ ff?? `y., :! ?C,,, •TWV., CltlAtCBlAND L. --------------------- JULY ' l f' ... - - ?1 ` w= _ 5EA7, p:.'.',y.. iJh ?,?.DA7N1:,$lOh 'XrIBfS ._.•......•..•..•._._..__. 23.19n Notar• Pub I Err .,r: Title f = of Officer. On this, the day of )) the undersigned opicer, personally appeared 19 , before ire, knoyon. to me (or satisfactort7y proven) to be theperson whosemtme witlcin instrument, and acknowledged that subscribed the contained executed same for the purposes t;carein In'witnesa whereof, r hereunto set my hand and official seal. ?? do hereby certify that the le of Ofjucr. of the within named graycle o is revise residence and coin lete , Post o}ftce address )? -•i ?, Attorney y .. for " , ? ! • c'' sa N .,? •.I rtf x y w ra sa 0 b, . W H H 4 . . ? o 0.0 C) ?' 1 w Q to 0 1 r z o . y i oc U ali r N 17 W RC. W N N t17 I 07v of a wL T-_k. , >?. , ?4 rij (a -4 4J Ell x -- a i a z 0 0 COMMONWRALT17 OF PLNNSYLVANIA County of ss. i PNCORDI;D on this _-? ?- -Z-1 day of A. D. 1o/?in the Recorder's OfTce n e l % slid Cnurty, in Deed Look /7/"Vol. . C_- Page j- Given under my rtand and the seal of the said once, the date above ycrittcm.. -? I --? z Perorder. P-rr r :Q P o. 0 a h h 0 h Pi s? v r w ? e a o E 2 78.0 °? 41 ? Q ? e ? NA 79, 90- .0- V) o Q ?? y ) ? 1 p rr) v` o *g', O W x lrz? ?? 3?q ? WV p Z ooN W ' W z CIV O 3 c 4 h 0. ?? Q lV 0 __N R Ri . 14 W J ` V ?' 3 \ Q, n °ct \ vz? 44 ' W tiA ••, E "?P WoJ J pQ Qa' 7711Y +ON/c/N//y 5 4,1 - 102-35 62'3 rb>. o P r? C, ?, ?, + p THIS DEED, MADE THE Q__P h day of in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred ninety-six (1996) BETWEEN PETER A. WILLMS and MARY G. WILLMS, his wife, of Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Grantors, and TERRY N. BARR and QUINN K. BARR, his wife, of New Cumberland, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Grantees, WITNESSETH, that in consideration of ---ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND ($128,000.0or----_---- Dollars, in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said grantors do hereby grant and convey to the said grantees, ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of land and the improvements thereon erected, situate in the Township of Upper Allen, County of Cumberland and State of. Pennsylvania, more particularly bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a rock oak tree, which tree is North 86 degrees 30 minutes East 298 feet from the line stone monument at corner of lands now or late of I. W. Miller and Daniel H. Ritter; thence by lands now or late of Dale B. and Catherine Failor, of which the tract herein described was formerly a part, North 79 degrees 30 minutes East 278 feet to an iron pin; thence by same South 10 degrees (erroneously omitted in prior deed) 30 minutes East 294 feet to a post; thence by same North 88 degrees 45 minutes West 339 feet to an iron pin; thence by same North 2 degrees 30 minutes East 233 feet to the aforesaid rock oak tree, the place of BEGINNING. CONTAINING 1.83 acres of land. BEING the same premises which Harry J. Reiter and Eleanor A. Hefter, his wife, by their deed dated July 5, 1977 and recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds Office in Book H-27, Page 117, granted and conveyed unto Peter A. Willms and Mary G. Willms, his wife, Grantors herein. BOOK J.47 PACE 7,56 OWNERI=BARB, TERRY N & QUINN K SUFFIX 1= PARCELS l I=71164 LANDDESC=LAND APPROX 2 ACRES OWNER2= APPENDPI_1=42-10-0256-015 DEEDACRE=1.83 ADD 1=829 EAST WINDING HILL ROAD PIN _1=42-10-0256-015 NHOOD=42 YEARBLT=1939 LVALUE=41640 ADD2= LUC=101 DEEDBOOK=00147-00756 LOCATION=829 E WINDING HILL ROAD OID_=80510 Featureld=57242 APPENDPIN=42-10-0256-015 ZIP==17055 NOTES= TYPE=R CITY=MECHAIVICSBURG SQFT=1801 TVALUE=138630 STATE PA AREA=66754.74609 PARCELS 1 =57243 BVALUE=96990 PIN=42-10-0256-015 PERI114ETER=1067.55889 wmsa,wo svalecx. MgMTHSLUr.. ao examments pad Fights+of-vay, as Cppsatnad to prl o?C inotal'YRiaad a are-recosdw. . mu m 91 . O "I". 1? » M k ? .l Cs ? it l.. N =1 i? -14 Lim AP ca log, r • ? RE a :r w w G7GF??i ?' .?i 7 And the asiA granwra hereby pavenpnc and agrov that shay Nall warradc specially T2- pzvpeTty howeby oonvwad. eoou 147 FAR 757 XX WZTXM CAF, *Old grar?tora bWM hsrbw= tot thair hand and anal she day and ye" €lrar. abow wrl==. Sued, 56010$ and Vallvered is Prssell? o? BTdR A. ?yl}1e ate. w?xv(a. xizr?5 5sasa of P8r=W7SYarlia County of 4. V•h as. On brie, the a IN day of SPc6w . 1995, "foram. MiM 1IN UpAel?signed own ?ta?aa OnQ4.Y aPYess?ad W.tCr A. Wilber ewd NesY a. Whose sro auhecrib?,d to ?e Mst?a ? Proms) TO be the parge" safle !or the purposes ftereln ooeseba ifigt , , „_ ~ . 'i+$ WFYB)tEQS? x hwounM 4019 my hand anp gt94Wal seal. k! -j lop eotlwser Title of Otliaes. 'S4 - ftera of Opunty or 943, Dn thie, the day of 19 , belarq o?q, gee undersigned oartain, V4rAMMUy app46re4 hrw to .e (oar aati.afa?borily proven) to be CM pardoA whose nave iubeori = to the m&VA ? SWtrument, and ao1awledged that aaeentad awn for Wo purposes thersiA eanvalmW. XX VITXMM WHZW F, I harsuaw aoC My hand and offtc4al soul. Tit?b A o lacer. W-W "? IM 759 o h0em6y c4pr"Ey tbaa the pkv*Lba meeideSwe mnd QGW otm pals oslioe aAdresa at the within na.ed pr-mmee Is 1019 wssornny for n? rl? G- . MX= OF P$N11MV=7A 3. D.19 &, in the Rveosdar' 9 oi'lita of the d"d CO-SY, to Deed Opm // j l.; Vol. Papa T 6itiren under mar bond wW sbc seal of tba eeid vtfioa, she dAtIM Bb+PVm vi3sT.an. 5 t 3 F R?-S. ai47 PAC ns THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP and MIDPENN ESTATES Plaintiff V. TERRY N. BARR and QUINN K. BARR, husband and wife Defendants IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY NO. 08-1975 ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE I accept service of the Complaint on behalf of Defendants, Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, and certify that I am authorized to do so. Date: r i•' '.!?---2008 J rr yDuffie Jo son ffie 301 arket Street P.O. Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 Counsel for Defendants Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr Johnson, Duffle, S By: John R. Ninosky, I.D. No. 78000 301 Market Street P. O. Box 109 Lemoyne, Pennsylvai (717) 761-4540 & Weidner Attorneys for Defendants 17043-0109 THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP and MIDPENN ESTATES, Plaintiffs V. TERRY N. BARR husband and wife, TO THE PLEASE e Barr and Quinn K. QUINN K. BARR, Defendants ARY: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NO. 08-1975 CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY JURY TRIAL DEMANDED PRAECIPE the appearance of the undersigned on behalf of the Defendants, Terry N. husband and wife, in the above-captioned matter. JOHNSON, DUFFIE, STEWART & WEIDNER By: 4W'4;1A2'u(? Jjohfi R. Ninosky, Esquire Attorney I.D. No. 78000 301 Market Street P.O. Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 Telephone (717) 761-4540 Email: jrn@jdsw.com Attorneys for Defendants Date: y/7 j l CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certi following, by d Lemoyne, Penn Helen Gemmill, Esc McNees, Wallace 8 P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17' Attorneys for Plaint that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the the same in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, in a, on '/ dd ? uire Nurick 08-1166 JOHNSON, DUFFIE, STEWART & WEIDNER By-f!!YA lYdlljj J An R. Ninosky, Esquir I . D. #: 78000 301 Market Street Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 e-mail: jrn@jdsw.com Attorneys for Defendants 330384 r,,,, ?... _ c-? r-., :_;+ cz: 'r7 . -? ?? _ ;...T ... ? ? . i,..? _ ..T7 '... ; ? u? cA? - ' ? °o d; , Johnson, Duffle, Stewart & Weidner By: John R. Ninosky I.D. No. 78000 Elizabeth D. Snover Attorneys for Defendants I.D. No. 200997 301 Market Street P.O. Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 e-mail: jrn@jdsw.com (717) 761-4550 THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS LP and MIDPENN ESTATES, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Plaintiffs : NO: 08-1975 Civil Term V. CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY TERRY N. BARR and QUINN BARR, husband and wife, : Defendants NOTICE TO PLEAD To: The McNaughton Properties, LP and Mid Penn Estates c/o Helen L. Gemmil, Esquire 100 Pine Street P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166 AND NOW, this 5th day of May, 2008, you are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed Preliminary Objections within twenty (20) days of the date of service hereof or judgment may be entered against you. JOHNSON, DUFFIE, STEWART & WEIDNER By L??Ia L44?JA Jo n R. Ninosky Elizabeth D. Snover Attorneys for Defendants Barr 51s10e Johnson, Duffle, Stewart & Weidner By: John R. Ninosky I.D. No. 78000 Elizabeth D. Snover I.D. No. 200997 301 Market Street P.O. Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 e-mail: jrn@jdsw.com (717) 7614550 Attorney for Defendants THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, --.IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS LP and MIDPENN ESTATES, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Plaintiffs NO: 08-1975 Civil Term V. TERRY N. BARR and QUINN BARR, husband and wife, CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY Defendants DEFENDANTS' PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO THE PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT AND NOW, come the Defendants, Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, by and through their counsel, Johnson, Duffie, Stewart & Weidner, P.C., and file these Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiffs' Complaint by respectfully stating the following: 1. This matter is an action in equity asking the Court to hold that the Plaintiffs can modify the course of an express easement without the consent of the owners of the dominant estate, the Defendants Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr (hereinafter "Barrs") 2 2. The Barrs obtained title to their residence municipally known and numbered as 829 East Winding Hill Road, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (hereinafter "Barr residence") by deed dated September 27, 1996 and recorded on October 18, 1996. A true and correct copy of the Barr deed was attached as Exhibit H to Plaintiffs' Complaint. 3. The Plaintiffs, The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, obtained title to some 142.07 acres of land adjacent to the Barr residence by deed dated January 30, 2007 and recorded on January 31, 2007. A true and correct copy of that deed was attached to Plaintiffs' Complaint as Exhibit A. 4. As alleged in Plaintiffs' Complaint, the Barr residence is a tract containing 1.83 acres of land. 5. This 1.83 acre tract was created by E. Allen and Blanche Turnbaugh by reservation in a deed dated April 1, 1954 (hereinafter "1954 deed") that sold out the 142.07 acres to the Failors (now the Plaintiffs' property). A true and correct copy of the 1954 deed was attached as Exhibit B to Plaintiffs' Complaint. 6. The 1.83 acre reserve tract (now the Barr residence) is landlocked, therefore, also in the 1954 deed to the Failors, the Turnbaughs reserved an easement 3 in their favor as a means of ingress and egress to their parcel over the 142.07 acres, now owned by Plaintiffs herein. See, Exhibit B to Plaintiff's Complaint. 7. The 1954 deed expressly reserves the easement as follows: SUBJECT NEVERTHELESS, to the right of the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty and privilege of, and passage in and along a certain private lane leading from the tract of land herein excepted and reserved to the land leading from Long Level Road to the buildings situate on the tract of land herein conveyed. The Grantees, their heirs and assigns, to have the right and privilege of crossing said private lane with their farm machinery and equipment for the purpose of gaining access to the tract of land herein conveyed. SUBJECT FURTHER, to the right of the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty, and privilege of, and passage in and along, in common with the said Grantees, their heirs and assigns, that certain private lane leading from the said Long Level Road to the land hereinbefore mentioned. SUBJECT ALSO, to the right and privilege of the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, to use the lands herein conveyed and adjacent to the above described lanes for the purpose of gaining access to the public road above mentioned in the event the said lane or lanes become impassable for travel by reasons of snow, ice, or sleet. AND SUBJECT FURTHER to any and all easements, rights-of-way now existing upon, over or through said tract of land. ?... rrAr'Y wryw.?rr. ? 4 8. The above small-scale of a survey performed by W.G. Rechel showing the property was affixed to and recorded in the 1954 deed as shown in Exhibit B to Plaintiffs' Complaint and shows the "certain private lane" or lanes mentioned in the grant. 9. A large scale of this survey showing the lanes was attached as Exhibit C to Plaintiffs' Complaint. 10. This express easement is the only means of access used by the Barrs and their successors in interest since the 1.83 acre parcel was created by the 1954 deed, has remained substantially unchanged, and was clarified by a Right of Way Maintenance Agreement dated November 21, 1996 and recorded in the Recorder of Deeds for Cumberland County on February 3, 1997 and is attached hereto as Exhibit 1. PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(4) - DEMURRER - LEGAL INSUFFICIENCY OF PLAINTIFFS' CLAIM 11. Plaintiffs' request for relief in equity, which is more in the fashion of a judicial condemnation, asks the Court to make a declaratory judgment that the express easement of the private lane now used and held by the Barrs should be modified and relocated over the objection of the Barrs. 12. The Plaintiffs desire this modification, as the current easement course conflicts with the design of a residential housing complex which has been filed with Upper Allen Township. Complaint $ 23 and Exhibit I to Plaintiffs' Complaint. 5 13. Plaintiffs assert that the Court should relocate the express easement because the Barrs are not entitled to access their property through the precise private lanes shown on the survey of W.G. Rechel and affixed to the grant of easement in the 1954 deed as recorded. Complaint 129. 14. Plaintiffs further assert that a Court can compel relocation of an access way if the relocation would not substantially interfere with the holder's use and enjoyment of the right of way and the relocation advances the interests of justice. Complaint 130. 15. Plaintiffs rely on the common law power of the Courts sitting in equity to modify easements as discussed in the case of Soderberq v. Wiesel, 687 A.2d 839 (Pa. Super. 1997). 16. However, this line of cases deals only with the Courts powers to modify prescriptive easements. 17. After a good faith search, Defendants have not been able to locate Pennsylvania case law supporting that a Court has the power to modify an existing express easement over the objection of the dominant tenement easement holder. 18. Rather, Pennsylvania Courts have consistently held that, when determining the rights of parties under express easements, including the right to relocate the easement, the Court must look to the terms of the grant and the intention of the parties. 19. A contract analysis is the only way in which a Court can declare the rights of the parties to make modifications to that easement. 6 20. As such, it is submitted that the Courts have no power to relocate an express easement, such as the one described and pled in Plaintiffs" Complaint, through their equity powers. 21. Plaintiffs have pled insufficient facts to support that the easement in questions was not an express easement and that the language and intention of the parties to the express easement permits the Court to modify the location and course of the "certain private lane" as set forth in detail in the easement as granted in the deed of 1954 over the objections of the Barrs. 22. Plaintiffs have pled insufficient facts to support that the easement in question was a prescriptive or implied easement. 23. The reservation of easement in the 1954 deed is clear an unambiguous that the Barrs have the right to use the "certain private lane" and provides no means for modification over the objection of the dominant estate holder. See, Exhibit B attached to Plaintiffs' Complaint. 24. As such, there is no legal basis for the Court to grant the relief requested by Plaintiffs. 7 WHEREFORE, the Defendants respectfully request this Honorable Court to dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint as the request for relief contained therein has no basis in Pennsylvania law making Plaintiffs' claim legally insufficient. JOHNSON, DUFFIE, STEWART & WEIDNER By d A Jj,, ,?, Jo . Ninosky I. D. # 78000 Elizabeth D. Snover I.D. #200997 301 Market Street P.O. Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 (717) 761-4540 Attorneys for Defendants Barr 8 11IGHT OF WAY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT made this/ day of iy Mx n-641- A.D. 1998, by and among the following parties: PATSY A. HERTZLER, Executrix of the LAN Will and Testament of DALE B. FAILOR, late of 831 East Winding HIP Road, Mechanloaburg, (Upper Allen Township), Cumberland County, Pennsylvanla; and PETER A. WILLMS and MARY G. WR,LMS, his wife, currently of 829 East Winding HIII Road, Mechanicsburg, (Upper Anon Township) Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. TJMRY N. BARR and QUINN X. BARR, his wife of 829 East Winding Hill Road, Mechanicsburg, (Upper Allen Township), Cumberland County, PA WHEREAS, the above-named parties are owners, In fee simple, of a certain farm and a residential lot respectively. the recent history of the tide to which follows: The major portion of the ground herein involved was originally the farm of EDWARD A. TURNBAUGH, aka E. ALLEN TURNSAUGH, and BLANCHE E. TURNSAUGH, his wife (the TURNBAUGHS). The taut TURNBAUGHS by dead dated April 1, 1954 and recorded In the Recorder's Office In and for Cumberland County in Deed Book 'R'. Volume 15, Page 171, granted and conveyed the major portion of their farm to the said DALE S. FAILOR and CATHERINE E FAILOR, his wife (the FAILORB). As is more fully and particularly described therein, over one hundred forty (140) awes was granted and conveyed to the said FAILORS. Also, as is more fully and particularly described therein, the said TURNBAUGHS excepted and reserved from the gram and conveyance to the said FAILORS unto themselves, a certain tract of land and the Improvements thereon emoted of slightly less than two (2) acres. (Sae a copy of the survey of June 23, 1963 by W.G. RECHEL Registered Surveyor attached hereto as 'Exhibit A.") ('N.B.: photocopy has been reduced In size and is therefore not to same scale as noted on the front thereof). The said grant and conveyance was made subject to the following express conditions and reservations: SUBJECT NEVERTHELESS, to the right of [said TURNSAUGHS) their heirs and assigns, to the free and uninterrupted use, liberty and privilege of, and passage In and along a certain private lane leading from the tract of land w to [excepted and reserved by Bald TURNSAUGHS) to the lane waft from Long Level Road to the buildings snuata, on the tract of land z on. [conveyed to said FAILORS(. The [said FAILORS), their helm E and assigns have the riche and privilege of crossing said private " c a= lane with their farm machinery and equipment for the purpose of a gaining access to the tract of land [conveyed to the said FAILORS[. °,u SUBJECT FURTHER, to the right of [said ti! T U R N S A U G H S ], their heirs and assigns, to the free and m uninterrupted use, Ili", and privilege of, and passage in and ' along, in common with the said (FAILORSj, their heirs and assigns, that certain private lane leading from the said Long Level Road to the lane hersinbefore mentioned. SUBJECT ALSO, to the right and privaege of the [said TURNSAUGHS), their helm and assigns, to use the lands herein conveyed and adjacent to the above described lanes for the purpose of galnkcg access to the pudic road above mentioned in the event the said lane or lanes become Impassable for travel by reason of snow, Ice or steel. EXHIBIT POUK 539 mu 1.1ft August ", 1996 WHEREAS, the Bald WILLMS, by virtue of a grant and conveyance from HARRY J. HEITER and ELEANOR A. HEITER, his eels, by deed dated July S. 1977 and recorded in the Recorders Office sfon"d In Deed Book •H', Volume 27, Pape 117 and by virtue of various and diverse moon conveyances as appear more fully at large M the records of the said Recorders Office, are now the holden of all of the said TURNBAUGH'S rtgh4 title, and interest M and to the said grounds excepted and reserved unto themselves and In and to the use of said lanes; and WHEREAS, the sold FAILORS also since purchased another parcel or tract of land contiguous to the above land and being sku M In Upper Allen and Lower Alen Townships of dolly lots than seven (7) acres from Its PENNIVLVAN1A TUANO IE CO SION, which was granted and conveyed to them by deed dated June 21, 1940 and recorded In the Recorders Office aforesaid in Dead Book ar, Volume 19, Page 63; and WHEREAS, slice the dates of the two (2) abtwo-reforon ad purohases, the Bald CATHERINE S. FAILOR departed this earthy life on 'jg g 19A-. at which time the sold DALE S. FAILOR, as Burst vlllp spouse, beoams IM%nd e Ante owner of the sold grounds Mid oil fiohta apPu WWI Alhereto by virtue of the laws of the Comrnonnr "M of Pennsylvania InhokW4 b Ten x*o by the Endrodes; and WHEREAS, the Bali DALE B. FAILOR departed this earthy life on May 7, 1996, having left a Last WIN and Testament doled JaMUry 26, 1992 which was duly probated at the Register of Wile Ohba in and for Quabstland County on MW 22, 1996 at which tine Letters Tealamentary were duly issued to PATSY A. HERTZLER as Executrix (docketed to No. 21.96- 413); and WHEREAS: On Bald grounds have not been opodflnNy devued and the said PATSY A. HERTZLER, as Executrix, Is in full control of the promNa; and WHEREAS, in an exercise of an abundance of aaudon, the Bald Executrix tM P6111110rhed the Orphans, Court for approval hersof,.pursuanl to Title 20, sect. 3323, a copy of the decree of approval belt affached hereto as'ExhMbN 9'; and WHERE". the said FAILORS and the old WILLMS and their pro*wsaw in We to the above-meraioned grounds reserved and exosp ed by the sated TURN MMINS. had, by oral agreement and common understanding, provided for a sharkp of the maintenance and upkeep costs associated therewith; and WHEREAS, the parties hereto are desirous of ratifying and confirming: the said agreement and understandings In writing and wish to legally bind themselves, their heirs, executors, adminlatraars, successors, and assigns thereto; IT IS HERESY AGREED AS FOLLOWS AS TO MAM MANCE AND UPKEEP: 1. FAILORS and their successors in tide shall be responsible for the lane, as it runs from Fast Winding HMI Road (referred b above ae Long Level PA#4 b the Farm House and outbuildings and barn at the oulorly side of the grounds. 2. WILLMS and their successors In title shall be rnaponsNNe only for the lane extending from the W', which is Wanted approzlmaMly tlhitlseft hundred (1300) feet from East Winding HIN Road, to the WILLMS, formerly TURNINAMM, reserved and excepted grounds. The responsibilities for their respective portions of the lanes shall be as follows: A. Each shall pay hial her own respective costs. B. Each shall provide his own snow removal within a reasonable period of time under the circumstances of any particular snow fall. August 21, 19" BOOK 339 PACE 1.102 G Maintenance shag Include the proper maintaining and repaying of the respective lanes and of mending, repairing and cleansing the said tares. 0. In the event either owner shag fag or refuse to provide proper maintenance andlor snow removal, and In the went that Is" action of any kind Is necessary to compel them to do so, then the offending parties shall reimburse the enforcing parties for all proper court costs, attorneys fees and related expenses whalsosver. E The parties herein agree to carry proper insurance policies b oover any injuries, damages or dais that might arise from the use of said right of way by any person or persons. 4. Nothing herein shag be construed to unit or abrogate the original rights granted by or retained by TURNBAUGHS In the out *W grad and conveyance Woresald, and as has been done by common understanding, especially as to WILLMS' use of the lane from East Winding Hill Road to the 'Y and as to FAILORS' use of the WILLMS' lane for moving of farm equipment. S. This AGREEMENT may be amended In whole or in part by an instrument M writing signed by all the then parties therein. NOW, THEREFORE, WITNESBETH, that in consideration of the sum of ONE ($1.00) DOLLAR good and lawful money of the United Sates of America, In hand paid by the respective parties hereb, each to the other, the receipt whereof Is hereby admovdedged. as well as for other good and valuable considerations and the mutual benefits to be derived by the parties hereto, intending to legally bind themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators, agents, successors, and assigns, the respective parties hereto have hereunto set their hands and seals on the day and year first above written. SEAL) WITNESS PATSY A ERTZ as of the Estate of Dale B. Fallor jz??- (1--a 3EAL) IPETER A. WILLMS k6?? AY. ?, (SEAL) M Y G UAG '36nx? ?Y -- -- --- -- -----(SEAL) WITNESS RRY N. HARR (SEAL) W TNSSS UINN R. BARR August 23, reed soox 539 PAcf.11()3 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: W-P SS. On this, the .=G day of ae.Ajw/ , A.D. 1906, before me a Notary Pubic, appeared PATSY A. HERTZLER, Executrix of the Ealate of Dde S. Faildr, known to me (or saNsfactorgy proven) to be the person whose mm is sullorbW to the within Flight of Way Agreement, and aduwmbdped that "snouted the same for the purpom therein contained. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal. Notary Public lArAhr P-mvIO-W AswdgimM0iiA s COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: SS. OOINRYOFCUMBERLArD On this, the 21!-day of V611CON4141- , A.D. 1998, before me a Notary Public, appeared PETER A. WILLMS and MARY G. WILLMS, his wile, known tome jor "Velmoorily proven) to be the persons whose name are subpodbsd to the vOla. Rlpllt of Way Aorasment. and acknowledged that they examwd the same for the plxposoa ftwn cant&ad. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal. Notary Public r: `!f : ` :: Nularia15ea1 p1mic afowwmg- {~•tt, - (.Jlllil Hin ?OrO. CNII1n1BrRIFK) a1?My c , , I.: i;omnuubn DO-June tB, 99e '; ?4' t.:y.f ';? I.? i.a.a,nwxrvN"IiuAamn.•llial, co N~, Aaycat 21, 1900 BOCK 5-19 PACE u0 4 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ) : as. County of Cumberland ) On this, the dllt day of lVO-A,-, - - , 1996, before me, the undersigned officer, personally appeared Terry N. Barr and Quinn X. Barr known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes herein contained. IN WITNESS WBEREOP, I hereunto set mY hand and official seal. Notary Public '•. '?{.: r' ,• J . ' Nolarint sea flM nraH L. Brennonran Nola F • .. :? f' i ? t * . 4 N Boni. Cun4xrlarplyCp?? L I Ay C ti . .? t .? n• ? : •'tt 1 ... _ y ontmitxipo Expires June 18, 1898 I.eatY : . = xx. R>.trKyb's??+Mion of Nolnius Mr ;39 rns(.t.1.1)5 r ,? r447 /. n. 1 O ? ^ . c t N R? A S R Mr, ??_ hw¢'1-4CL??? 7 • 1 tn? *1 r I N A.... ?.L,r A.(.. f. W. a REWEL Plan h.-'17 fl- ' COMARO GL A. FANCMC ' z .el•P's I r? o r Oy OAt L 0. ?GATR(GrR(F F4 tam _y ?• w I_ '-PGR .ILlLM TWP. C4HP. COp 4^. ? Myth Con/ogttn9 -/IS??t.fC.II! 1 (r•rw••••I 822 5-39 PACE 11.()6 IN RE: ESTATE OF DALE B. FAILOR, IN THE ORPHANS' COURT DECEASED, DIVISIONOFTHECOLIR'T LATE OF UPPER ALIEN OFCOMMONPLFAS TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA. CUMBERLAND Cgl1 M PDINA. ! NO. 21-96-413 DECREE 1./I AND NOW, this '?j!- day of 1997, upon consideration of the attached Petition, it is decreed as follows: THE RIGHT OF WAY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT of PATSY A. HERTZLER, Executrix of the Last WIN and Testament of Dais B. Fallor and of PETER A. WILLMS and MARY G. WILLMS, his wife, and of TERRY N. BARR and GUINN K. BARR, his wife, Is hereby approved pursuant to Title 20, sect. 3323 (P.E.F. Code) and may be recorded In the Recorder's Office, 00 1V Lx; • .i :fi ?j `Ii ?•t•r. 1 a7b 1 frf G 0 ? ?s• ; vp ± p, ?,ANr c• '?? , ^r) I. i 1 1 n7 r By the Court J. rn. of Pennsylvania S !,,of Cumberland -d in the offxx to tro recording of Deals is id for umberland County, ft ,9f F?ook= Vol. - Page .IMI my hand and seal of offigEtf N31:i, PA this 3 _-day ,s,._•1> a December 30, loge CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND NOW, this May 5, 2008 1 hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the following, by depositing the same in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania: The McNaughton Properties, LP and Mid Penn Estates c/o Helen L. Gemmil, Esquire 100 Pine Street P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166 JOHNSON, DUFFIE, STEWART & WEIDNER By 4h4?, L== Elizabeth Y Snover 9 _ u .T} ri THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF and MIDPENN ESTATES CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Plaintiff V. CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY TERRY N. BARR and QUINN K. BARR, : husband and wife NO. 08-1975 Defendants PLAINTIFFS' RESPONSE TO DEFENDANTS' PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS Plaintiffs The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, by and through their counsel McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, for their response to the Preliminary Objections of Defendants Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, state as follows: 1. Paragraph 1 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety. 2. Admitted. 3. Admitted. 4. Admitted. 5. Admitted with qualification. The deed attached as Exhibit B to Plaintiffs' Complaint speaks for itself in its entirety. 6. Admitted with qualification. The deed attached as Exhibit B to Plaintiffs' Complaint speaks for itself in its entirety. 7. Admitted with qualification. The deed attached as Exhibit B to Plaintiffs' Complaint speaks for itself in its entirety. 8. Denied as stated. The deed attached as Exhibit B to Plaintiffs' Complaint speaks for itself in its entirety. Further answering, the small scale survey does not delineate the boundaries or location of the lanes. 9. Denied as stated. The survey attached as Exhibit C to Plaintiffs' Complaint does not delineate the boundaries or location of the lanes. 10. Upon reasonable investigation, Plaintiffs are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to whether the access to the 1.83 acre parcel was unchanged since 1954 or to form a belief as to the purpose for the document attached to the Preliminary Objections as Exhibit 1, and therefore the averments are denied. Further answering, paragraph 10 of Defendants' preliminary objections raises facts outside the pleadings that should not be considered in determining preliminary objections under Pa. Rule Civ. P. 1028(4) for legal insufficiency. 11. Paragraph 11 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety. 12. Denied as stated. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety as to Plaintiffs' reasons for requesting a slight relocation of the existing access. 13. Denied as stated. Paragraph 29 of the Complaint refers only to the existing private lanes, not the lanes shown on the survey. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety. 14. Admitted. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety. 2 15. Paragraph 15 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety. 16. Paragraph 16 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. 17. Upon reasonable investigation, Plaintiffs are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to whether Defendants have made a good faith search for applicable case law and therefore deny the averment. Further answering, Paragraph 17 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. 18. Paragraph 18 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. 19. Paragraph 19 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. 20. Paragraph 20 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. 21. Paragraph 21 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety 22. Paragraph 22 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. Further answering, the averments of Plaintiffs' Complaint speak for themselves in their entirety. 23. Paragraph 23 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. 3 24. Paragraph 24 of Defendants' Preliminary Objections states a legal conclusion as to which no response is required. WHEREFORE, Defendants' Preliminary Objections should be overruled. McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC By 1, L . lr?-...? Helen L. Gemmill (ID No. 60661) 100 Pine Street P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166 Tel: (717) 232-8000 Fax: (717) 237-5300 Attorneys for Plaintiffs The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates Dated: May 27, 2008 4 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The undersigned certifies that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was served on this date by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: John R. Ninosky, Esq. Elizabeth D. Snover, Esq. JOHNSON, DUFFIE, STEWART & WEIDNER 301 Market Street P.O. Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 Attorneys for Defendants ?-Ll?- He en L. Gemmill Dated: May 27, 2008 7: -? } ? ? cap PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT (Must be typewritten and submitted in duplicate) TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY: (List the within matter for the next Argument Court.) CAPTION OF CASE (entire caption must be stated in full) THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP and MID PENN ESTATES VS. CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS TERRY N. BARR and QUINN BARR, husband and wife CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY No. 1975, 2008 Term State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiffs motion for new trial, defendant's demurrer to complaint, etc.): Defendants' Preliminary Objections 2. Identify all counsel who will argue cases: (a) for plaintiffs: Helen L Gemmil Esquire Mc Nees Wallace & Nurick, 100 Pine Street. P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108 (Name and Address) (b) for defendants: John R. Ninosky Johnson Duffle 301 Market Street, P.O. Box 109, Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 (Name and Address) 3. 1 will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for argument. 4. Argument Court Date: July 9, 2008 Date: May 28, 2008 - - !adA 9-dwhA Sign ure John R. Ninosky Print your name Attorney for Defendant INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Two copies of all briefs must be filed with the COURT ADMINISTRATOR (not the Prothonotary) before argument. 2. The moving party shall file and serve their brief 12 days prior to argument. 3. The responding party shall file their brief 5 days prior to argument. 4. If argument is continued new briefs must be filed with the COURT ADMINISTRATOR (not the Prothonotary) after the case is relisted. ?.., -? ?' , ?? .--t , ' -r? c„ g ? ? ,'?" . ?s t r s ?,? ,-.-; ??TM „s ? C.. THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LP AND MIDPENN ESTATES, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PLAINTIFFS V. TERRY N. BARR AND QUINN K. BARR, DEFENDANTS :08-1975 CIVIL TERM IN RE: PRELIMINARY OBJECTION OF DEFENDANTS TO PLAINTIFFS' COMPLAINT BEFORE BAYLEY, J AND EBERT, J. ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this J?MA- day of July, 2008, the preliminary objection of defendants to plaintiffs' complaint, IS SUSTAINED. Plaintiffs' complaint IS DISMISSED. -/Helen L. Gemmill, Esquire For Plaintiffs -1 ?John R. Ninosky, Esquire For Defendants :sal rn?? 7?aa.1d? Edgar B. Bayley, J. P >- ce) t,f C-i THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LP AND MIDPENN ESTATES, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PLAINTIFFS V. TERRY N. BARR AND QUINN K. BARR, DEFENDANTS :08-1975 CIVIL TERM IN RE: PRELIMINARY OBJECTION OF DEFENDANTS TO PLAINTIFFS' COMPLAINT BEFORE BAYLEY, J AND EBERT, J. OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT Bayley, J., July 22, 2008:-- On March 28, 2008, plaintiffs, The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, filed a complaint against defendants, Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr. Plaintiffs seek an order relocating an express easement through their property to the property of defendants. Defendants filed a preliminary objection to the complaint in the form of a demurrer in which they maintain that there is no cause of action in Pennsylvania for the relocation of an express easement. The issue was briefed and argued on July 9, 2008. Plaintiffs, hereinafter referred to as "McNaughton," aver in their complaint that they are the owner of 142.07 acres of land in Upper Allen Township, known as the "Failor Farm," to which they obtained title on January 31, 2007. The Barrs are the owners of 1.83 acres of land, to which they obtained title on January 27, 1996, which 08-1975 CIVIL TERM was carved out of the Failor Farm (the "Reserved Tract"), in a 1954 deed. The tract does not directly front on a public road. In the 1954 deed, the grantor provided to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, the use of two private lanes, the first running from the Reserved Tract to the second lane, and the second running to Long Level Road (now known as East Winding Hill Road). The deed included a sketch survey of the two private lanes over the Reserved Tract, but does not delineate the metes and bounds of the lanes. Plaintiffs further aver that they have filed a preliminary subdivision plan with Upper Allen Township to develop the Failor Farm into residential tracts. The plan includes a public street system that complies with all regulations. The design requires a minor relocation of the existing private lanes that provide access to the Reserved Tract, such that the access will follow the public streets. The proposed public street system will provide a shorter, safer and more direct route between the Reserved Tract and East Winding Hill Road, will accommodate emergency vehicles, and will allow for the safe and beneficial development of the Failor Farm. The relocation will not substantially impair defendants' access to the Reserve Tract. In Soderberg v. Weisel, 687 A.2d 839 (Pa. Super. 1997), the issue before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania was "[w]hether a court, through the use of its equitable powers, may compel the relocation of an easement." The easement at issue was a prescriptive easement providing access from a road to a farm. The dominant tenant argued that prescriptive easements are akin to boundary disputes, which are resolved under either a theory of adverse possession or consentable line, a theory separate and -2- 08-1975 CIVIL TERM distinct from traditional adverse possession. The Court stated: A prescriptive easement differs from land acquired by adverse possession, because an adverse possessor acquires the land in fee, whereas the prescriptive easement holder is only entitled to an easement- like use. In the case of prescriptive easements, however, a dominant estate never holds title to the easement. Accordingly, prescriptive easements differ from boundaries by consentable line. Because an estate which gains a prescriptive easement over another's land does not have exclusive title in fee over the right-of-way, if the relocated easement is practically the same in both safety and ease of use to the dominant estate, and the landowner has articulated substantial reasons for the relocation, it is fair and just to refrain from moving the easement back to its original location.3 Prescriptive easements are also quite different from express grant easements. Express grant easements, once acquired, are much more difficult to alter. See Zettlemoyer v. Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corp., 540 Pa. 337, 657 A.2d 920 (1995) (alternations of easements expressly granted will be interpreted under contract law principles; permission to alter must be intended by words or meaning of grant). A prescriptive easement, however, differs markedly from an express grant easement, because the prescriptive easement is not fixed by agreement between the parties or their predecessors in interest.' (Citations omitted.) The Court, while noting that the issue before it has received varied treatment in other jurisdictions, stated: Specifically, we hold that a court may compel relocation of an easement if that relocation would not substantially interfere with the ' The issue in Zettlemoyer was whether a pipeline company committed a de facto taking of land by claiming an area thirty feet beyond a one hundred foot right-of-way that it had maintained on the owner's property. -3- 08-1975 CIVIL TERM easement holder's use and enjoyment of the right of way and it advances the interest of justice.... We caution, however, that ordering relocation is an extraordinary remedy and should be used sparingly. The Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) (2000), at Section 4.8(3), provides: Unless expressly denied by the terms of an easement, ... the owner of the servient estate is entitled to make reasonable changes in the location or dimensions of an easement, at the servient owner's expense, to permit normal use or development of the servient estate, but only if the changes do not (a) significantly lessen the utility of the easement, (b) increase the burdens on the owner of the easement in its use and enjoyment, or (c) frustrate the purpose for which the easement was created. In MacMeekin v. Low Income Housing Institute, Inc., 45 P.3d 570 (Wash. App. 2002), a Court of Appeals in Washington commented on this section of the Restatement: The provision applies to express easements as well as those acquired by implication or prescription. Comment f. explains that this subsection adopts the civil law rule that is in effect in Louisiana and a few other states, and rejects the rule espoused by the weight of authority in this country-that the owner of the servient estate may not unilaterally relocate an easement. By way of further explanation: This rule is designed to permit development of the servient estate to the extent it can be accomplished without unduly interfering with the legitimate interests of the easement holder. It complements the rule that the easement holder may increase use of the easement to permit normal development of the dominant estate, if the increase does not unduly burden the servient estate.... This rule is not reciprocal. It permits unilateral relocation only by the owner of the servient estate; it does not entitle the owner of the easement to relocate the easement. The reasons for the rule are that it will increase overall utility because it will increase the value of the servient estate without diminishing the value of the dominant estate and it will encourage the use of easements and lower their price by decreasing the risk the easements will unduly restrict future development of the servient -4- 08-1975 CIVIL TERM estate. In addition, permitting the servient owner to change the location under the enumerated circumstances provides a fair trade-off for the vulnerability of the servient estate to increased use of the easement to accommodate changes in technology and development of the dominant estate. Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) § 4.8, Comment f. Section 7.10 of Restatement (Third) discusses modification and termination of servitudes because of changed conditions, and provides in subsection (2) that "[i]f the purpose of a servitude can be accomplished, but because of changed conditions the servient estate is no longer suitable for uses permitted by the servitude, a court may modify the servitude to permit other uses under conditions designed to preserve the benefits of the original servitude." Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) § 7.10(2). Comment a. to this section indicates that this rule applies to easements as well as covenants, and permits a party seeking relief from the servitude to petition the court at the point of need. The reform movement espoused by Restatement (Third) generated considerable academic debate over the years, as the American Law Institute issued various tentative drafts. Professor Uriel Reichman, in discussing the changed conditions doctrine (which terminology the Restatement (Third) uses both for easements and restrictive covenants) praises the doctrine for introducing a necessary element of flexibility as well as the means to control servitudes that would otherwise result in inefficient land use. See Uriel Reichman, Toward a Unified Concept of Servitudes, 55 So. Cal. L.Rev. 1177, 1259 (1982); see also Douglas B. Harris, Balancing the Equities: Is Missouri Adopting a Progressive Rule for Relocation of Easements?, 61 Mo. L.Rev. 1039 (1996). Others have criticized the doctrine on the ground that it permits undue interference with property rights. See Carol M. Rose, Servitudes, Security, and Assent: some Comments on Professors French and Reichman, 55 So. Cal. L.Rev. 1403, 1404 (1982); Richard Epstein, Notice and Freedom of Contract in the Law of Servitudes, 55 So. Cal. L.Rev. 1353, 1358 (1982); see also Note, The Right of Owners of Servient Estates to Relocate Easements Unilaterally, 109 Harv. L. Rev. 1693 (1996). As noted by the commentator in the Restatement, "Rose reminds us the [neighborhood] holdout is not necessarily a rascal, and that the right to hold out is an important aspect of property ownership, normally relaxes only through an eminent domain proceeding. 'If we are to take servitudes seriously as property rights then the neighbors' holdout is perfectly legitimate.'" Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) § 7. 10, Rationale, Comment a. (quoting Carol M. Rose, Servitudes, Security, and Assent, supra at 1412). -5- 08-1975 CIVIL TERM In MacMeekin, a division of the court of appeals of Washington declined to adopt the Restatement (Third), and even after citing the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in Soderberg v. Weisel, supra, concluding that there was no cause of action for the relocation of an easement implied from prior use. In the case sub judice, unlike in Soderberg, which involved the relocation of a prescriptive easement, plaintiffs are seeking a remedy relocating an express easement. However, no such cause of action has been recognized in Pennsylvania. Although plaintiffs urge this court to adopt the Restatment (Third) of Property (Servitudes) (2000), Section 4.8(3), which would create such a cause of action, "[o]nly our supreme court and the legislature can adopt new causes of action in Pennsylvania." D'Errico v. DeFazio, 763 A.2d 424, 433 (Pa. Super. 2000). Accordingly, the following order is entered. ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this day of July, 2008, the preliminary objection of defendants to plaintiffs' complaint, IS SUSTAINED. Plaintiffs' complaint IS DISMISSED. Edgar B. Bayley, J. I -6- 08-1975 CIVIL TERM Helen L. Gemmill, Esquire For Plaintiffs John R. Ninosky, Esquire For Defendants sal -7- THE MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP and MIDPENN ESTATES Plaintiff V. TERRY N. BARR and QUINN K. BARR, husband and wife Defendants IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA : CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY NO. 08-1975 NOTICE OF APPEAL Notice is hereby given that The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, the above-named Plaintiffs, hereby appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania from the Order entered in this matter on July 22, 2008. This Order has been entered in the docket, as evidenced by the attached copy of the docket entry. There is no verbatim record of the proceedings in the trial court. Respectfully submitted, McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC By / 4/-. c? Helen L. Gemmill (ID No. 60661) 100 Pine Street P.O. Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166 Tel: (717) 237-5273 Fax: (717) 260-1697 Attorneys for Plaintiffs The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates Dated: August 18, 2008 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The undersigned certifies that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was served on this date by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: John R. Ninosky, Esq. Elizabeth D. Snover, Esq. JOHNSON, DUFFIE, STEWART & WEIDNER 301 Market Street P.O. Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043-0109 Attorneys for Defendants The Honorable Edgar B. Bayley Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Carlisle, PA 17013 Official Court Reporter for the Honorable Edgar B. Bayley Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Carlisle, PA 17013 Court Administrator Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Carlisle, PA 17013 - lu L . Helen L. Gemmill Dated: August 18, 2008 YS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 1 Civil Case Print 2008-01975 MCNAUGHTIN PROPERTIES LP ET AL (vs) BARR TERRY N ET AL Reference No..: Case Type ..... : COMPLAINT J d Filed........: Time.........: 3/28/2008 1:08 u gment..... 00 Judge Assigned: BAYLEY EDGAR B Execution Date 0/00/0000 Disposed Desc.: ------------ Case Comments ------------- Jury Trial.... Dispposed Date. Hi 0/00/0000 gher Crt 1.: Higher Crt 2.: ******************************************************************************** General Index Attorney Info MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES LP THE PLAINTIFF 4400 DEER PATH ROAD GEMMILL HELEN L SUITE 200 HARRISBURG PA 17110 MIDPENN ESTATES PLAINTIFF 4400 DEER PATH ROAD GEMMILL HELEN L SUITE 201 HARRISBURG PA 17110 BARR TERRY N DEFENDANT 829 E WINDING HILL ROAD NINOSKY JOHN R MECHANICSBURG PA BARR QUINN K DEFENDANT 829 E WINDING HILL ROAD NINOSKY JOHN R MECHANICSBURG P ******************************************************************************** * Date Entries ******************************************************************************** FIRST ENTRY _ _ _ _ 3/28/2008 COMPLAINT - CIVIL ACTION - BY HELEN L GEMMILL ESQ FOR PLFF ----------------------------------------------------- 4/17/2008 ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE - COMPLAINT UPON DEFTS TERRY N BARR AND QUINN K BARR - BY JERRY DUFFIE ATTY FOR DEFTS ------------------------------ _ _ ------------------------------ 4 23/2008 PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FOR DEFTS - BY JOHN R NINOSKY ESQ -------------------------------- _ _ ____ ------------------------- 5 05/2008 DEFENDANTS' PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO THE PLFF'S COMPLAINT - BY JOHN R NINOSKY ATTY FOR DEFTS ---------------------------------- _ _ ------------------------ _ 5 27/2008 PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS - BY HELEN L GEMMILL ATTY FOR PLFFS ------------- ____ --------------------------- ----------------------- 5 29/2008 PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT - BY JOHN R NINOSKY ATTY FOR DEFT ------------------------------------------------------ 7/22/2008 OPINION-AND-ORDER-OF-COURT--7/22-08- /IN - RE: - PRELIMINARY - OBJECTION OF DEFTS TO PLFFS COMPLAINT - THE PRELIMINARY OBJECTION OF DEFTS TO PLFFS COMPLAINT IS SUSTAINED - PLFFS COMPLAINT IS DISMISSED - BY EDGAR B BAYLEY J - COPIES MAILED 7/22/08 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ******************************************************************************** * Escrow Information * Fees & Debits Beg COMPLAINT TAX ON CMPLT 55.00 55.00 .00 SETTLEMENT •50 00 .50 8.00 .00 00 AUTOMATION JCP FEE 5. 5.00 5.00 . .00 10.00 -------------- 10.00 ----- .00 78.50 ----- --- 78.50 --------- .00 * ***** End of Case Information ad IN WW of S? COt1fI Carpals, Pa. a00g 414 C-y rv FT, O' Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq. Prothonotary James D. McCullough, Esq. Deputy Prothonotary Mr. Curtis R. Long C F- ,? 7 { COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA P4 y Superior Court of Pennsylvania Middle District 100 Pine Street. Suite 400 Harrisbure. PA 17101 August 21, 2008 717-772-1294 www.superior.court.state.pa.us Prothonotary Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Carlisle, PA 17013 Re: 1468 MDA 2008 The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, Appellants V. Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, husband and wife Dear Mr. Long: Enclosed please find a copy of the docket for the above appeal that was recently filed in the Superior Court. Kindly review the information on this docket and notify this office in writing if you believe any corrections are required. Appellant's counsel is also being sent a Docketing Statement, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 3517, for completion and filing. Please note that Superior Court Dockets are available on the Internet at the Web site address printed at the top of this page. Thank you. Very truly yours, Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq. Prothonotary VSL 2:51 P.M. Appeal Docket Sheet Docket Number: Page 1 of 2 August 21, 2008 1468 MDA 2008 The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates, Appellants V. Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, husband and wife Initiating Document: Notice of Appeal Case Status: Active Case Processing Status: August 20, 2008 Journal Number: Case Category: Civil Awaiting Original Record CaseType: Equity Consolidated Docket Nos.: Related Docket Nos.: SCHEDULED EVENT Next Event Type: Receive Docketing Statement Next Event Due Date: September 4, 2008 Next Event Type: Original Record Received Next Event Due Date: October 20, 2008 COUNSEL INFORMATION Appellant The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates Pro Se: Appoint Counsel Status: IFP Status: No Appellant Attorney Information: Attorney: Gemmill, Helen Louise Bar No.: 60661 Law Firm: McNees, Wallace & Nurick, LLC Address: 100 Pine St PO Box 1166 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166 Phone No.: (717)237-5273 Fax No.: (717)237-5300 Receive Mail: Yes E-Mail Address: Receive E-Mail: No Appellee Barr, Terry N. & Quinn Pro Se: Appoint Counsel Status: IFP Status: Appellee Attorney Information: Attorney: Ninosky, John Robert Bar No.: 78000 Law Firm: Johnson, Duffle, Stewart & Weidner Address: 301 Market Street PO Box 109 Lemoyne, PA 17043 Phone No.: (717)761-4540 Fax No.: (717)761-3015 Receive Mail: Yes E-Mail Address: jrn@jdsw.com Receive E-Mail: No Superior Court of Pennsylvania 8/21/2008 3023 2:52 P.M. Appeal Docket Sheet Docket Number: 1468 MDA 2008 Superior Court of Pennsylvania Page 2 of 2 August 21, 2008 FEE INFORMATION Paid Fee Date Fee Name Fee Amt Amount Receipt Number 8/19/08 Notice of Appeal 60.00 60.00 2008SPRMD000718 TRIAL COURT/AGENCY INFORMATION Court Below: Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas County: Cumberland Division: Civil Date of Order Appealed From: July 22, 2008 Judicial District: 9 Date Documents Received: August 20, 2008 Date Notice of Appeal Filed: August 19, 2008 Order Type: Order Entered OTN: Judge: Bayley, Edgar B. Lower Court Docket No.: 08-1975 President Judge ORIGINAL RECORD CONTENTS Original Record Item Filed Date Content/Description Date of Remand of Record: BRIEFS DOCKET ENTRIES Filed Date Docket Entry/Document Name Party Type Filed By August 20, 2008 Notice of Appeal Filed Appellant The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates August 21, 2008 Docketing Statement Exited (Civil) Middle District Filing Office 8/21/2008 3023 r y l ' cn • i CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C) To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed: Superior Court of PA The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter: The McNaughton Properties, LP and Midpenn Estates VS. Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, husband and wife 08-1975 Civil Term 1468 MDA 2008 The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.1 to 82, and attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the number of pages comprising the document. The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 09/11/2008. is R. , ro Itary Regina Lebo An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed. Please sign and date cony, thereby acknowledging receipt of this record. Date Signature & Title ?,..--, ?. ,? ???'? . Among the Records and PrPceedings enrolled in the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Cimberland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to No. nR-19791 riv; l Term, 19 is contained the following: COPY OF - Appearanrra DOCKET ENTRY The McNaughton Properties, LP and MidPenn Estates VS. Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr husband and wife **See Certified Copy of the Docket Entries** Commonwealth of Pennsylvania County of Cumberland ss: 1, CttrtiS R. Long , Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of the whole record of the case therein stated, wherein Plaintiff, and T,-3= N, Barr and Quirin _K Pam'., i9 mband anti wi fP Defendant s , as the same remains of record before the said Court at No. 08-1975 of ;}3;.pi Term, A. D. 19 . In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seat of said Court this 11th day of A. D., Wt2008. ;F S=ternber Prothonotary 1, I&gar B. I?yley President Judge of the Ninth Judicial District, composed of the County of Cumberland, do certify that Curtis R. Long , by whom the annexed record, certificate and attestation were made and given, and who, in his own proper handwriting, thereunto subscribed his name and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, was, at the time of so doing, and now is Prothonotary in and for said County of Cumberland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly commissioned and qua to all 1w cts as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of judic ur as elsew re, hat t e said record, certificate and attestation are in due form of law and made e p o r office President Judge Commonwealth of Pennsylvania County of Cumberland ss: 1, Ci't3r, -F Lnnrg Prothonotary bf the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, do certify that the Honorable FrIgar B. Bayley by whom the foregoing attestation was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time of making thereof, and still is President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Orphan' Court and Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; to all whose acts as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given, as well in Courts of judicature as elsewhere. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 11th of Sept A. D. 14?200B Prothonotary It 0 S ?-t K E • a Co G ? ? N o. n 0 v 0 C r ? I r ? iG p 4 ' UD c a I PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 1 Civil Case.Print 2008-01975 MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES LP ET AL (vs) BARR TERRY N ET AL Reference No... Filed......... 3/28/2008 Case Type.....: COMPLAINT Judgment......: 00 Time.........: Execution Date 1:08 0/00/0000 Judge Assigned: BAYLEY EDGAR B Jury Trial.... Disposed Desc.: t Disposed Date. Hi 0/00/0000 s ------------- ------------ Case Commen gher Crt 1.: 1468 MDA2008 Higher Crt 2.: ********************************************** ********************************** General Index Attorney Info MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES LP THE PLAINTIFF GEMMILL HELEN L 4400 DEER PATH ROAD SUITE 200 HARRISBURG PA 17110 MIDPENN ESTATES PLAINTIFF GEMMILL HELEN L 4400 DEER PATH ROAD SUITE 201 HARRISBURG PA 17110 BARR TERRY N DEFENDANT NINOSKY JOHN R 829 E WINDING HILL ROAD MECHANICSBURG PA BARR QUINN K DEFENDANT NINOSKY JOHN R 829 E WINDING HILL ROAD MECHANICSBURG P * Date Entries ******************************************************************************** J-jQ 3/28/2008 #3 4/17/2008 ,yy 4/23/2008 ilk_ 5/05/2008 &3 5/27/2008 k 5/29/2008 6 ?-?& 7/22/2008 7-2--)!' 8/19/2008 {/ 8/27/2008 9/11/2008 FIRST ENTRY COMPLAINT - CIVIL ACTION - BY HELEN L GEMMILL ESQ FOR PLFF ------------------------------------------------------------------- ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE - COMPLAINT UPON DEFTS TERRY N BARR AND QUINN K BARR - BY JERRY DUFFIE ATTY FOR DEFTS ------------------------------------------------------------------- PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FOR DEFTS - BY JOHN R NINOSKY ESQ ------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFENDANTS' PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO THE PLFF'S COMPLAINT - BY JOHN R NINOSKY ATTY FOR DEFTS ------------------------------------------------------------------- PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS - BY HELEN L GEMMILL ATTY FOR PLFFS ------------------------------------------------------------------- PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT - BY JOHN R NINOSKY ATTY FOR DEFT ------------------------------------------------------------------- OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT -7/22 08 IN RE: PRELIMINARY OBJECTION OF DEFTS TO PLFFS COMPLAINT - TH PRELIMINARY OBJECTION OF DEFTS TO PLFFS COMPLAINT IS SUSTAINED - PLFFS OMPLAINT IS DISMISSED - BY EDGAR B BAYLEY J - COPIES MAILED 7/22//08 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTICE OF APPEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT - BY HELEN L GEMMILL ATTY FOR PLFFS ------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPERIOR COURT OF PA NOTICE OF APPEAL DOCKETING TO # 1468 MDA 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTICE OF DOCKET ENTRIES MAILED TO HELEN L GEMMILL ESQ AND JOHN R NINOSKY ESQ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ******************************************************************************** * Escrow Information * Fees & Debits Beg Bal Pymts/Adj End Bal ******************************** ******** ****** ******************************* COMPLAINT 55.00 55.00 .00 TAX ON CMPLT .50 .50 .00 SETTLEMENT 8.00 8.00 .00 AUTOMATION 5.00 5.00 .00 JCP FEE 10.00 10.00 .00 PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 2 Civil Case Print 2008-01975 MCNAUGHTON PROPERTIES LP ET AL (vs) BARR TERRY N ET AL Reference No... Filed......... 3/28/2008 Case Type...... COMPLAINT Time. 1.08 Judgment..... 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000 Judge Assigned: BAYLEY EDGAR B Jury Trial.... Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000 ------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1468 MDA2008 Higher Crt 2.: APPEAL HIGH CT 48.00 48.00 .00 ------------------------ ------------ 126.50 126.50 .00 ******************************************************************************** * End of Case Information ******************************************************************************** TRIBE COPY r In Testimony wh,,,rt:E.''i', ! hand and the seal of said Court at Carlisic, Pa. This ...& ......... day ofd`........, . .,................. . ..... :... Prothonotary Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq. Prothonotary Milan K. Mrkobrad, Esq. Deputy Prothonotary Middle District Pennsylvania Judicial Center P.O. Box 62435 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1600 Harrisburg, PA 17106-2435 (717) 772-1294 www. superior.court. state.pa. us CERTIFICATE OF REMITTAUREMAND OF RECORD TO: Mr. Long Prothonotary RE: The McNaughton Prop et al v. Barr, T. et al 1468 MDA 2008 Trial Court: Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas Trial Court Docket No: 08-1975 Annexed hereto pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure 2571 and 2572 is the entire record for the above matter. Original Record contents: Item Filed Date Description Part September 15, 2008 1 Remand/Remittal Date: 10/16/2009 ORIGINAL RECIPIENT ONLY - Please acknowledge receipt by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed copy of this certificate to our office. Copy recipients (noted below) need not acknowledge receipt. Respectfully, J?XACX? r-.5 C) Milan K. Mrkobrad, Esq. Deputy Prothonotary ° rn /vsl Enclosure .o li f^ cc: The Honorable Edgar B. Bayley, President Judge c .. Helen Louise Gemmill, Esq. John Robert Ninosky, Esq. -?' 1. A09018/09 2009 PA Super 173 THE McNAUGHTON PROPERTIES, LP IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF and MIDPENN ESTATES, PENNSYLVANIA Appellants V. TERRY N. BARR and QUINN K. BARR, Husband and Wife, Appellees No. 1468 MDA 2008 Appeal from the Order entered July 22, 2008, Court of Common Pleas, Cumberland County, Civil Division at No. 08-1975 BEFORE: BOWES, DONOHUE and FREEDBERG, JJ. OPINION BY DONOHUE, J.: FILED: September 1, 2009 ¶ 1 Appellants, The McNaughton Properties, LP, and MidPenn Estates (collectively "McNaughton"), appeal from the trial court's order dated July 22, 2008 sustaining the preliminary objections of Appellees, Terry N. Barr and Quinn K Barr (collectively, the "Barrs"). This case raises an issue of first impression in Pennsylvania: whether a court may order the relocation of an express easement. For the reasons that follow, we conclude that under existing Pennsylvania law, express easements must be construed according to contract interpretation principles, and thus we are without authority to modify the terms of an unambiguous express easement. Hence, we affirm the trial court's dismissal of McNaughton's declaratory judgment action. 1. A09018/09 ¶ 2 Our review of the record discloses the following averments of fact in NcNaughton's complaint relating to McNaughton's request to relocate the Barr's easement to another location. McNaughton is the owner of 142.07 acres of land in Upper Allen Township in Cumberland County. Complaint at ¶ 4. McNaughton purchased this property, known as the "Failor Farm", in 2007. Id. at 5. The Barrs are the owners of 1.83 acres of land (hereinafter, the Reserved Tract") that was carved out of the Failor Farm in a 1954 deed. Id. at 20. The Reserved Tract does not front directly onto a public road, and thus in the 1954 deed, the grantor provided to the grantee and his heirs and assigns (including the Barrs) the use of two private lanes (the "Two Lanes") - the first lane running from the Reserved Tract to the second lane, and the second running to Long Level Road (now East Winding Hill Road). Id. at 10, 13. The 1954 deed includes a sketch of the Two Lanes, but does not delineate their precise metes and bounds. Id, at 9, 11. $ 3 McNaughton has filed a preliminary subdivision plan with Upper Allen Township to develop the Failor Farm into residential tracts. Id, at 23. The subdivision plan includes a public street system that complies with all local regulations. Id. at 24. The new street system will provide the Barrs with access to the Reserved Tract that will be safer (both because it will be shorter and with improved emergency vehicle access) than the Two Lanes. Id. at 32. The new access (via the new street system), which will constitute "only a minor change from the existing access," is necessary for McNaughton -2- J. A09018/09 to develop Failor Farm. Id. at 33-34. McNaughton will grant and convey to the Barrs an express easement over the new street system. Id. at 35. ¶ 4 In a written opinion dated July 22, 2008, the Honorable Judge Edgar B. Bayley granted the Barrs' preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer and disrraissed McNaughton's Complaint. Judge Bayley ruled that no Pennsylvania appellate court has ever recognized a cause of action to relocate an express easement without the permission of the owner of the dominant estate. Trial Court Opinion at 6. Judge Bayley further ruled that it was not within his power or jurisdiction to recognize section 4.8(3) of the Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) (2000), which permits the relocation of express easements under certain specified circumstances. Id. ¶ 5 This timely appeal followed, in which McNaughton questions whether the trial court erred in holding that it "lacked the authority to declare that the owner of the servient estate is legally entitled to relocate an express easement." Appellants' Brief at 2. McNaughton further argues that the Barrs' express easement rights are ambiguous, thus entitling the court to compel relocation of the easement to any location suitable for the Barrs' convenient and ordinary use. Appellants' Brief at 14-15. $ 6 An appeal from an order granting preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer is subject to plenary review. Erde/y v. Hinchc/iffe and Keener, Inc., 875 A.2d 1078, 1081 (Pa. Super. 2005). In determining whether the trial court properly sustained preliminary objections, the -3- 1. A09018/09 appellate court must examine only the averments in the complaint, together with the documents and exhibits attached thereto, and the impetus of our inquiry is to determine the legal sufficiency of the complaint and whether the pleading would permit recovery if ultimately proven. Id. This Court will reverse the trial court's decision regarding preliminary objections only where there has been an error of law or abuse of discretion. Id. at 1081-82; Brosovic v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, 841 A.2d 10711 1073 (Pa. Super. 2004). Finally, preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer require the court to resolve issues solely on the basis of the pleadings, and no testimony or other evidence outside of the complaint may be considered to dispose of the legal issues presented. Mistick, Inc, v. Northwestern National Casualty Company, 806 A.2d 39, 42 (Pa. Super. 2002). ¶ 7 In support of its first issue on appeal, McNaughton argues that this Court's decision in Soderberg v. Weisel, 687 A.2d 839 (Pa. Super. 1997) provided the trial court with the authority to compel the relocation of the Barr's express easement. Appellants' Brief at 10. In Soderberg, we addressed a request by the owner of a servient estate' to relocate a prescriptive easement to another area on the property to protect young 1 With regard to easements, the owner of the dominant estate owns the easement rights and the owner of the servient state owns the land over which the easement extends. -4- 1. A09018/09 children from the large farm machinery used by the owners of the dominant estate. Id. at 841. The trial court permitted the relocation. Id. ¶ 8 In affirming the trial court's decision, this Court began by recognizing the general rule that "easements may not be modified, changed, altered, or relocated without the consent of both the dominant and servient estates." Id. at 842 (citing Pennsylvania Water and Power Co. v. Reigart, 193 A. 311, 314 (Pa. Super. 1937)). We also acknowledged, however, that prior cases had not established a "per se prohibition" against the unilateral relocation of a prescriptive easement2 by the owner of a servient estate. Id. In this regard, we cited to Palmer v. Soloe, 601 A.2d 1250 (Pa. Super. 1992), in which we affirmed a trial court's decision to order the owner of the servient estate to return a prescriptive easement to its original location. The basis of this ruling was that the new easement location was not as safe as the original one and thus constituted an unreasonable interference with the dominant's estate's easement rights. Id, at 1253. As such, in Soderberg we concluded that the owner of a servient estate may unilaterally (i.e., without prior court approval) relocate a prescriptive easement if the new z A prescriptive easement is a right to use another's property which is not inconsistent with the owner's rights and which is acquired by a use that is open, notorious, and uninterrupted for a period of 21 years. See, e.g., Waltimyer v. Smith, 556 A.2d 912 (Pa. Super. 1989). As we indicated in Soderberg, a prescriptive easement "differs markedly from an express grant easement, because the prescriptive easement is not fixed by agreement between the parties or their predecessors in interest." Soderberg, 687 A.2d at 843 n.3. -5- 3. A09018/09 easement location is as safe as the original location, the relocation is a relatively minor change, and the reasons for relocation are substantial. Soderberg, 687 A.2d at 842. ¶ 9 Having decided that a court may deny relief to a prescriptive easement holder whose easement was unilaterally relocated, we then turned to the question of "whether a court, through the use of its equitable powers, may compel the relocation of an easement." Id. at 843. With no prior Pennsylvania appellate cases having addressed this issue, we looked to cases from other jurisdictions. Courts in some states have held that they lack the authority to order the relocation of an easement for any reason, deciding that once established an easement is not movable without the consent of both parties.3 In contrast, other courts have recognized their authority to order relocation of easements.4 $ 10 In Soderberg, this Court adopted the latter approach, stating that "we hold that a court may compel relocation of an easement if that 3 Thomason v. Kern & Co., Inc., 259 Ga. 119, 376 S.E.2d 872 (1989) (prescriptive easement); Edgelf v. Divver, 402 A.2d 395, 397-98 (Del. Ch. 1979) (express easement); Davis v. Bruk, 411 A.2d 660, 664-66 (Me. 1980) (express easement); Daviess-Martin County v. Meadows, 386 N.E.2d 1000, 1002 (1979) (prescriptive easement). 4 Kline v. Bernardsville Association, Inc., 267 N.J.Super. 473, 631 A.2d 1263 (1993) (express easement); RFS Inc. v. Cohen, 772 S.W.2d 713, 714-15 (Mo. Ct. App. 1989) (easement by necessity); Ramsey v. Johnson, 312 So.2d 671, 672 (La. Ct. App. 1975) (easement by statute); Sedillo Title Guaranty, Inc. v. Wagner, 457 P.2d 361, 363-64 (N.M. 1969) (express easement). -6- 3. A09018/09 relocation would not substantially interfere with the easement holder's use and enjoyment of the right of way and it advances the interests of justice." Id. at 844. We did so to avoid inconsistent results, as the owner of a servient estate could unilaterally relocate an easement without concern that the court would order its return to the original location, but the same owner could not seek relocation of the easement to a new location through judicial proceedings. td. We also cautioned that "ordering relocation is an extraordinary remedy and should be used sparingly." Id. ¶ 11 McNaughton contends that our holding in Soderberg that a court has the authority to order the relocation of an easement "was not predicated on any differences between the nature of prescriptive and express easements," and thus forms a basis for holding that Pennsylvania law allows a court to order the relocation of any easement (prescriptive or express) °so long as the relocation would not substantially interfere with the easement holder's use and enjoyment of the right of way and advances the interests of justice." Appellants' Brief at 10. We disagree that Soderberg may be interpreted to support a determination that Pennsylvania courts may order the relocation of express easements. The issue addressed in Soderberg was limited to whether the trial court erred in ordering the relocation of a prescriptive easement. In a footnote, we made clear that our analysis was not intended to extend to consideration of express easements, since "[e]xpress grant easements, once acquired, are much more difficult to -7- J. A09018/09 alter." Zd. at 843 n.3 (citing Zettlemoyer v. Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corp., 540 Pa. 337, 657 A.2d 920 (1995)). We further indicated that prescriptive easements are more amenable to relocation because, unlike with express easements, the location of a prescriptive easement "is not fixed by agreement between the parties or their predecessors in interest." Zd. at 843 n.3 $ 12 The Supreme Court's decision in Zettlemoyer is highly instructive in this regard. In that case, Transcontinental purchased a right-of-way across a property to construct natural gas pipelines. In 1958 and 1971, it constructed two such pipelines, on each occasion clearing the same 100 feet across the property. In 1991, it constructed a third pipeline within the same easement, but on this occasion it cleared an additional 30 feet of woods adjacent to the original 100 foot right of way to provide more room for construction equipment. The Zettlemoyers, owners of the servient estate property in 1991, filed an eminent domain claim alleging that the clearing of the additional 30 feet was a de facto taking. The trial court granted Transcontinental's preliminary objections but the Commonwealth Court reversed, holding that the scope of the easement was established at 100 feet over the course of the preceding thirty-three years (1958-1991). Zettlemoyer v. Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co., 617 A.2d 51, 55 (Pa. Commw. 1992). -8- 1. A09018/09 ¶ 13 Our Supreme Court reversed the Commonwealth Court, concluding that "the clear language of the agreement is evidence of the original intent of the parties to allow [Transcontinental] to clear additional land where such clearing is reasonably necessary to achieve the purpose of the agreement." Zett/emoyer, 540 Pa. at 346, 657 A.2d at 925. To reach this conclusion, the Supreme Court set forth the law with respect to the construction of the scope of express easements as follows: It is well-established that the same rules of construction that apply to contracts are applicable in the construction of easements.... In ascertaining the scope of an easement, the intention of the parties must be advanced. Such intention [of the parties] is determined by a fair interpretation and construction of the grant and may be shown by the words employed construed with reference to the attending circumstances known to the parties at the time the grant was made. Zd. at 344, 657 A.2d at 924 (citations omitted). ¶ 14 The Zettlemoyers contended that because the express grant did not specify a precise width of the easement and was therefore ambiguous in this regard, the parties "subsequent agreement, use, and acquiescence" from the time of the grant established the scope of the easement at 100 feet. Zd. at 346, 657 A.2d at 925. The Supreme Court disagreed, holding that "where an easement is ambiguous, the grantee shall have "reasonable and necessary use' of the right of way within the purpose of the easement and the intentions of the original parties to the grant." Id. at 349, 657 A.2d at -9- 1. A09018/09 926. Based upon the language of the grant, "the clearing of the additional 30 feet by (Transcontinental] was within the original intent of the parties to this grant." Id. at 346, 657 A.2d at 925. ¶ 15 In Zettlemoyer, the Supreme Court made clear that the scope of an express easement must be determined in strict conformity with the intentions of the original parties as set forth in the grant of the easement. Id.; see also Lease v. Doll, 485 Pa. 615, 621, 403 A.2d 558, 561 (1979); Piper v. Mowris, 466 Pa. 89, 95, 351 A.2d 635, 638 (1976). Applying this principle to the present case, we disagree with McNaughton that Pennsylvania law permits a trial court to order the relocation of an express easement in order to permit the owner of the servient estate to develop its property. The trial court must interpret the Barrs' easement rights in accordance with the terms of the original grant of the easement (i.e., in the 1954 deed), and no language in that 1954 deed suggests that the easement over the Two Lanes may be relocated to another area to permit development. The intent of the parties to the original grant of the easement must govern, and the subsequent conduct of the parties, including McNaughton's decision to develop its property, is irrelevant in this regard. $ 16 For the same reasons, we decline McNaughton's invitation to adopt section 4.8(3) of the Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) (2000). Section 4.8(3) provides in relevant part as follows: -10- I A09018/09 Unless expressly denied by the terms of the easement, ... the owner of the servient estate is entitled to make reasonable changes in the location or dimensions of an easement, at the servient owner's expense, to permit normal use or development of the servient estate, but only if the changes to not (a) significantly lessen the utility of the easement. (b) increase the burdens on the owner of the easement in its use and enjoyment, or (c) frustrate the purpose for which the easement was created. Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) (2000) § 4.8(3). ¶ 17 Since this Restatement provision does not distinguish between prescriptive and express easements, it would, if adopted,5 provide 5 Adoption of section 4.8(3) appears to be the minority position of other states considering the issue. A number of states have rejected its adoption. See, e.g., Herren v. Pettengill, 273 Ga. 122, 123, 538 S.E.2d 735, 736 (2000) ("Allowing unilateral avoidance of the contract by the owner of the servient estate not only would violate fairness principles, it also would create uncertainty in real property law by opening the door for increased litigation over 'reasonableness' issues based upon today's conditions rather than those considered in the original bargain."); Teitel v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 287 F. Supp.2d 1268, 1277 (M.D. Ala. 2003) (section 4.8(3) "does not conform with Alabama law"); MacMeekin v. Low Income Housing Inst., 45 P.3d 570, 579 (Wash. App. 2002) ("Washington adheres to the traditional rule that easements, however created, are property rights, and as such are not subject to relocation absent the consent of both parties."); AKG Real Estate, LLC v. Kosterman, 296 Wis.2d 1, 23, 717 N.W.2d 835, 845-46 (Wis. 2006); Davis v. Bruk, 411 A.2d 660, 665 (Me. 1980). Two states, Massachusetts and Colorado, appear to have adopted section 4.8, although Colorado's acceptance seems limited to circumstances where the express grant is unambiguous in some way. M.P.M. Builders, LLC v. Dwyer, 442 Mass. 87, 90-91, 809 N.E.2d 1053, 1057 (2004) ("Section 4.8(3) maximizes the over-all property utility by increasing the value of the servient estate without diminishing the value of the dominant estate; minimizes the cost associated with an easement by reducing the risk that the easement will - 11 - 3. A09018/09 Pennsylvania courts with authority to order the relocation of express easements. McNaughton argues that section 4.8(3) is consistent with Pennsylvania law, citing to Hash v. Sofinowski, 487 A.2d 32, 34 (Pa. Super. 1985) (width of a prescriptive easement must be determined by actual use during the prescriptive period). Hash, however, like Soderberg, involved a prescriptive easement, and McNaughton has not directed us to any Pennsylvania appellate court decision that addresses the issue of whether a court may order relocation of an express easement. $ 18 Whether to adopt section 4.8(3) presents a fundamental policy choice. Proponents of its adoption contend that it favors flexibility, the development potential of the servient estate, and court control over easements to avoid the inefficient use of land. Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes) § 4.8 Comment f; MacMeekin, 45 P.3d 570, 578 (Wash. App. 2002). Opponents, however, criticize the rule as threatening the uniformity, stability, and predictability of deeds and other written documents conveying property interests, as a catalyst for increased litigation, and as a means for purchasers of servient estates to reap a windfall at the expense of owners of dominant estates. AKG Real Estate, 296 Wis.2d at 23, 717 N.W.2d at 845. prevent future beneficial development of the servient estate; and encourages the use of easements."); Roaring Fork Club, L.P. v. St. lude's Co., 36 P.3d 1229, 1236 (Colo. 2001) (""[U]nder the Restatement, a burdened estate owner may unilaterally move an easement (unless it is specified in deeds or otherwise to have a location certain), subject both to a reasonableness test and to the constraints delimited in [§ 4.8(3)].") (emphasis added). -12- J. A09018/09 ¶ 19 Based upon our review of decisions from our Supreme Court, we find no basis for Pennsylvania to adopt Restatement section 4.8(3). Again the Supreme Court's decision in Zettlemoyer is instructive, as it requires adherence to the language of the original grant of the easement and the intentions of the parties thereto. Zettlemoyer, 540 Pa. at 346, 657 A.2d at 925; see also PARC Holdings, Inc, v. Killian, 785 A.2d 106, 111 (Pa. Super. 2001) ("These rules [of construction] provide that if the location, size or purpose of an easement is specified in the grant, then the use of an easement is limited to the specifications."). Conversely, section 4.8(3) would permit the owner of the servient estate (or the trial court) to alter the dominant estate's easement rights based upon entirely different considerations, including the relative utility and purpose of the relocated easement and any increases in the burdens on the easement owner. As the Supreme Court in Zettlemoyer has insisted on strict conformity with the intentions of the original parties to the grant with respect to the width of an express easement, we conclude there is no basis to permit an even more radical modification (relocation) based upon the types of considerations contained in section 4.8(3). ¶ 20 We also find that section 4.8(3) is inconsistent with well-established principles of Pennsylvania contract law. The location of the Barrs' express easement is fixed by agreement of the original parties, and thus McNaughton's declaratory judgment action seeking permission to relocate - 13 - ). A09018/09 that easement constitutes a request that the trial court modify the Barrs' contractual easement rights. Under Pennsylvania law, however, courts may reform written contracts only when its terms do not reflect the intent of the parties to the contract, including in cases of fraud, accident or mistake. See, e.g., Kutsenkow v. Kutsenkow, 414 Pa. 610, 612, 202 A.2d 68, 68- 69 (1964). Reformation of deeds has generally been restricted to cases involving a mutual mistake in the description of the property interest to be conveyed. See, e.g., Krieger et at. v. Rizzo and Rizzo, 161 A. 483, 484 (1932) (citing Baab v. Houser, 203 Pa. 470, 53 A. 344 (1902)). Section 4.8(3) would thus permit the reformation of contractual easement rights based upon considerations never authorized by Pennsylvania courts. ¶ 21 Accordingly, we decline to adopt the Restatement (Third) approach. Adoption of section 4.8(3) would constitute a significant departure from existing Pennsylvania law in this area, and thus is a policy choice best left to our Supreme Court or the Pennsylvania legislature. $ 22 For its second issue on appeal, McNaughton contends that the location of the Barrs' express easement is ambiguous because the deed granting the easement does not delineate its precise boundaries or location. The easement at issue here consists of the right of passage over the Two Lanes across the Failor Farm. While the original 1954 deed granting this easement does not specify specific metes and bounds descriptions, it does provide a -14- 1. A09018/09 description of the Two Lanes6 - indicating that the first lane extends from the Reserved Tract to the second lane, which in turn extends across the Failor Farm to a public road (Long Level Road, now East Winding Hill Road). Moreover, the 1954 deed contains a sketch survey that sets forth the location of the two private lanes on the Failor Farm. For these reasons, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by failing to find that the location of the Barrs` express easement is ambiguous. ¶ 23 Order affirmed. Judgment Entered. Deputy Prothonotary September 1, 2009 Date: 6 We also note that McNaughton`s declaratory judgment action, which requests permission to relocate the Barrs` easement, appears to presuppose that the current location of said easement is not a matter of dispute between the parties. The record on appeal does not contain any information indicating that McNaughton has filed an action quiet title with regard to the Barrs` easement rights (location, width, use, etc.). -15- • CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C) To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed: Superior Court of PA The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter: The McNaughton Properties, LP and Midpenn Estates VS. Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, husband and wife • 08-1975 Civil Term 1468 MDA 2008 The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.l to 82, and attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the number of pages comprising the document. The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 09/11/2008 . ,Sp ? 2 zoos //71. _ - I - t '--p L"?-Z& L?-of? C is R. Lon o on ary Regina Lebo An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed. Please sign and date copy, thereby acknowledging receipt of this record. 0 Date Signature & Title L-1 CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C) To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed: Superior Court of PA The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter: The McNaughton Properties, LP and Midpenn Estates VS. RECORD FILED IN SUPERIOR COURT • Terry N. Barr and Quinn K. Barr, husband and wife 08-1975 Civil Term 1468 MDA 2008 SEP 1 5 2008 MIDDLE The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.1 to 82, and attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the number of pages comprising the document. The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 09/11/2008 . O-P C rtis R. Lo g-RkAro-i-57ary Regina Lebo An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed. Please sign and date copy, thereby acknowledging receipt of this record. 0 Date Signature & Title