Disser et al v. City of Tampa et al
Filing
20
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 4 Motion to Dismiss; denying as moot 6 Motion for Leave to File DVDs; denying 11 Motion to Remand. Signed by Judge Susan C Bucklew on 7/31/2013. (GMS)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
MICHAEL DISSER and SOHO SALOON,
LLC,
Plaintiffs,
Case No. 8:13-cv-885-T-24-EAJ
v.
CITY OF TAMPA and GLORIA MOREDA,
Defendants.
_____________________________________/
ORDER
This cause comes before the Court on Plaintiffs’ Soho Saloon, LLC and Michael Disser
motion to remand and for stay. [Doc. 11]. Defendants City of Tampa and Gloria Moreda
oppose. [Doc. 13].1 Also before the Court is Defendants’ motion to dismiss [Doc. 4], which
Plaintiffs oppose [Doc. 12]. Defendants filed a motion to take judicial notice, [Doc. 5], to which
Plaintiffs did not file a response.
I.
BACKGROUND
Soho Saloon, LLC (“Saloon”) and its registered agent, Michael Disser, bring this suit
based on the denial of their application for a special use permit for an alcoholic beverages
classification (“AB classification”) by the City of Tampa (“City”) and Gloria Moreda
(“Moreda”), the City’s zoning administrator. The Saloon is a bar or lounge located in an area
known as the “SoHo District,” which includes commercial establishments with AB classification
permits allowing them to sell alcohol. [Doc. 2, ¶¶ 22, 35].
1
Defendants’ use of block quotes—one spanning nearly two pages [Doc. 13 at 2-5]—and lengthy
footnotes in its 20-page response brief is excessive and sidesteps the Local Rules’ page limitations.
In October 2012, Plaintiffs submitted a special use permit application under chapter 27 of
the City’s Code of Ordinances (“Code”) to change the Saloon’s AB classification from a “2COP” classification, which allows beer and wine sales, to a “4-COP-X” classification, which
would allow the additional sale of liquor. [Id., ¶¶ 13, 16, 23].
There are two classes of special use permits. The “S-1” class of permit is required for
“certain temporary uses and occupancies or where specified uses or characteristics of use could
have adverse effects on adjacent properties.” Code § 27-127(b)(1). The “S-2” class of permit is
required “where specified uses or occupancies involve matters deemed to be of citywide or areawide importance.” Code § 27.127(b)(2). Different procedural requirements and specific criteria
govern these classes of permits.
Plaintiffs originally submitted an application for an S-1 class of permit. [Doc. 2, ¶ 16].
Plaintiffs allege that Joel Sousa (“Sousa”), from the City’s Planning and Development
Department, and Moreda both made representations indicating that Plaintiffs’ S-1 application
would be approved with minor changes.
[Id., ¶¶ 25-28, Appx. 417-28].
However, their
application was later switched to and evaluated under the S-2 permit procedures. [Id., ¶ 17].
Plaintiffs allege they were without a practical alternative but to go along with the City’s switch,
spending time and money to revise their application and proceed under the S-2 application
standards.
In preparation for a public hearing on Plaintiffs’ application, Sousa sent the City Council
a report stating that Plaintiffs’ permit application was inconsistent with the Code. [Doc. 1, Appx.
121-29]. The report listed several necessary waivers, including waivers to reduce the minimum
1,000 feet distance separation between the Saloon and other AB classification establishments as
2
well as residential units and a waiver to reduce the required number of parking spaces from 35 to
17. [Id., Appx. 121].
The public hearing before the City Council on Plaintiffs’ S-2 application was noticed and
scheduled for January 24, 2013 (“first public hearing”). [Id., ¶ 30]. At the hearing, reports and
testimony were presented, including residents’ testimony about noise and parking concerns and a
police officer’s report and testimony about overburdened parking in the SoHo District. Plaintiffs
allege that the evidence presented at the hearing established that 17 other establishments with AB
classifications, 10 of which could sell liquor, were within 1,000 feet of the Saloon.
At the end of the first public hearing, a City Council member moved to deny Plaintiffs’
application; this motion did not pass. [Id., ¶ 48]. Another City Council member then moved to
approve Plaintiffs’ application; this motion passed. [Id. , ¶¶ 49-50; Doc. 1, Appx. 84].
The City Council conducted a second public hearing on February 7, 2013. [Id., ¶¶ 4950]. Plaintiffs allege the evidence presented at this hearing was the same evidence that was
presented at the first public hearing, except for the addition of a police officer’s report and
testimony regarding alleged illegal activity occurring a few days prior at the Saloon. [Id., ¶ 53].
Plaintiffs allege that, despite the City Attorney’s advice that the City Council could not base its
denial of the application on alleged illegal activity, the City Council discussed the police
officer’s report and testimony. [Id., ¶¶ 55-64].
At the end of the second public hearing, the City Council member who had moved to
deny Plaintiffs’ application at the first public hearing again moved to deny the application for the
same reasons. [Id., ¶ 73]. This time, the motion to deny passed. [Doc. 1, Appx. 413-14].
Based on these allegations, Plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of mandamus, petition for
writ of certiorari, and two-count complaint in state court. [Doc. 2]. The mandamus petition
3
claims Plaintiffs have a clear legal right to the permit under the Code and requests the Court
compel Defendants to issue the permit. Plaintiffs’ certiorari petition contends the City’s quasijudicial decision denying Plaintiffs’ permit application was discriminatory, arbitrary, and based
on irrelevant evidence. Count I of the complaint alleges a claim under Section 86.011, Florida
Statutes, and seeks damages and a declaratory judgment that the City’s actions violated
Plaintiffs’ vested rights under Florida law. In count II, Plaintiffs allege a claim under 42 U.S.C.
§ 1983 that the City’s denial of Plaintiffs’ application violated their equal protection and
substantive due process rights under the United States Constitution. Plaintiffs seek damages and
attorneys’ fees.
Defendants removed this case to federal court, contending Plaintiffs’ Section 1983 claim
gives this Court federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331. [Doc. 1]. Defendants then
filed a motion to dismiss and a motion for the Court to take judicial notice of DVDs of the City
Council hearings. [Docs. 4, 6]. Plaintiffs filed a motion to remand and for stay, requesting the
Court decline to exercise its supplemental jurisdiction over their state law claims and abstain
from determining their Section 1983 claim. [Doc. 11].
II.
MOTION FOR REMAND AND STAY
A.
Standard of Review
The Court has “supplemental jurisdiction over all claims that . . . form part of the same
case or controversy.” 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). The Court may decline supplemental jurisdiction if:
(1) the claim raises a novel or complex issue of state law; (2) the claim substantially
predominates over the claims over which the district court has original jurisdiction; (3) the Court
has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction; or (4) in exceptional
circumstances. 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c); Palmer v. Hosp. Auth. of Randolph County, 22 F.3d 1559,
4
1569 (11th Cir. 1994). In determining whether to exercise its discretion to decline jurisdiction,
the Court should consider factors such as “judicial economy, convenience, fairness to the parties,
and whether all the claims would be expected to be tried together.” Id.
B.
Discussion
At the outset, the Court has supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a) over
Plaintiffs’ state law claims, because their state and federal claims stem from the same case and
controversy—Defendants’ denial of Plaintiffs’ special use permit application. Plaintiffs make a
number of arguments as to why the Court should decline to exercise its supplemental jurisdiction
over their state claims.
Plaintiffs first contend the Court would not be able to grant the relief requested in
Plaintiffs’ mandamus petition because, under Pennhurst State School & Hospital v. Halderman,
465 U.S. 89 (1984), the Court is without jurisdiction to compel a state officer to act in
accordance with state law.
In Pennhurst, the United States Supreme Court held that the
Eleventh Amendment bars a federal court from exercising jurisdiction—including pendant
jurisdiction—over state law claims against states and state officials. Id. at 121. However, as
Pennhurst notes, the Eleventh Amendment does not apply to municipal corporations. Id. at 123
n. 34; see also Tuveson v. Fla. Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs, Inc., 734 F.2d 730, 732
(11th Cir. 1984) (“Eleventh Amendment immunity does not extend to independent political
entities, such as counties or municipalities.”); Hufford v. Rodgers, 912 F.2d 1338, 1342 (11th
Cir. 1990) (holding Eleventh Amendment does not bar suit against county official); Cooper v.
Dillon, 403 F.3d 1208, 1221, n.8 (11th Cir. 2005). Because the City is a municipal corporation,
the Eleventh Amendment does not bar the Court from exercising its supplemental jurisdiction
over Plaintiffs’ mandamus petition to compel Defendants to act according to state law.
5
Plaintiffs also contend the Court should decline supplemental jurisdiction because three
Section 1367(c) factors exist: (1) their state law claims raise a novel or complex issue of state
law, (2) their state law claims substantially predominate over their federal claim, and (3) there
are exceptional and compelling reasons for declining jurisdiction.
First, Plaintiffs contend their state law claims raise novel or complex issues of state law
because the Court must closely review the record of the City Council proceedings and apply state
law to determine whether they are entitled to certiorari, mandamus, and declaratory relief. [Id. at
4-8]. Although the claims are governed by state law, they do not appear to present novel or
complex state law issues. Nor is the Court incapable of reviewing the record of the City Council
proceedings. Therefore, this factor does not weigh in favor of the Court declining to exercise its
jurisdiction.
Second, Plaintiffs contend their state law claims substantially predominate over their
Section 1983 claim. Citing to TMTB I, LLC v. City of Manchester, Missouri, 2007 WL 3146562
(E.D. Mo. Oct. 25, 2007), Plaintiffs contend the following factors show substantial
predominance of their state law claims: this dispute centers on local decisions on land use issues;
state courts have experience with reviewing these decisions; and Plaintiffs’ Section 1983 claim
does not allege discrimination based on race or other protected category.
However, Plaintiffs fail to explain how those factors weigh in favor of finding their state
claims substantially predominate. While similar factors were identified in TMTB, the court
found that those factors supported the interests of “judicial economy, convenience, and fairness
to litigant”—which falls within the scope of exceptional or compelling reasons under Section
1367(c)(4), not substantial predominance under Section 1367(c)(2). See 2007 WL 3146562, at
*3 (“There are practical reasons to remand . . . . the state court is in a much better position to
6
decide the issues, and it will probably do so more quickly than this court could . . . . Thus, the
interests of ‘judicial economy, convenience, and fairness to litigants’ . . . will be promoted by
remand.”).
Plaintiffs also rely on Fox v. Carter, which found that the state law claims
substantially predominated after the federal claim that formed the sole basis of removal was
dismissed. 2012 WL 589563, at *8 (D.N.J. Feb. 22, 2012). However, this case does not apply
here because Plaintiffs’ Section 1983 claim has not been dismissed.
“A federal court will find substantial predominance when it appears that a state claim
constitutes the real body of a case, to which the federal claim is only an appendage.” Parker v.
Scrap Metal Processors, Inc., 468 F.3d 733, 744 (11th Cir. 2006) (citation omitted). Here,
Plaintiffs’ claims for certiorari and declaratory relief are based in part on facts and issues that
underlie their Section 1983 claim. Although their state law claims may raise more issues, the
Section 1983 claim is more than a mere appendage. See Gordon v. Beary, 2008 WL 3258496, at
*4 (M.D. Fla. Aug. 6, 2008) (finding state law claims did not predominate where the theories set
forth in the Section 1983 claim “also underpin two . . . state law claims”). Therefore, the Court
does not find that substantial predominance of state law claims weighs in favor of declining to
exercise its jurisdiction.
Third, Plaintiffs contend exceptional circumstances exist that should cause the Court to
decline jurisdiction over their state claims. Plaintiffs assert these circumstances include that state
courts are more experienced with procedures surrounding state law writs regarding local issues,
and it would be unfair for their state law claims to be thrust into a federal forum that would likely
result in additional time and expense for the litigants. However, it is the Plaintiffs that invoked
the possibility of a federal forum by asserting a claim under Section 1983. Nor is there reason to
believe that litigating in federal court in Tampa is somehow inconvenient to either party.
7
Further, the claims asserted in this case can reasonably be expected to be resolved at one time
and in one court. Remand of the state law claims would require duplication of judicial efforts.
Finally, the Court need not abstain from exercising jurisdiction over the state law claims
under the doctrine established in Burford v. Sun Oil Company, 319 U.S. 315 (1943). Burford
abstention is only appropriate when “exercise of federal review of the question in a case and in
similar cases would be disruptive of state efforts to establish a coherent policy with respect to a
matter of substantial public concern.” Rindley v. Gallagher, 929 F.2d 1552, 1556 (11th Cir.
1991) (citations omitted). That is not the case here.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, the Court denies Plaintiffs’ motion to remand
and motion for stay.
III.
MOTION TO DISMISS
A.
Standard of Review
In deciding a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, the Court must view the
complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. See Murphy v. Federal Deposit Ins. Corp.,
208 F.3d 959, 962 (11th Cir. 2000) (citing Kirby v. Siegelman, 195 F.3d 1285, 1289 (11th Cir.
1999)). The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not require a claimant to set out in detail the
facts upon which the claim is based. Instead, Rule 8(a)(2) requires a short and plain statement of
the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief in order to give the defendant fair notice of
what the claim is and the grounds upon which it rests. See Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 127
S. Ct. 1955, 1964 (2007) (citation omitted). A plaintiff is required to allege “more than labels
and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.” Id.
at 1965 (citation omitted).
8
While the Court must assume that all of the allegations in the complaint are true,
dismissal is appropriate if the allegations do not “raise [the plaintiff’s] right to relief above the
speculative level.” Id. (citation omitted). The standard on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion is not whether
the plaintiff’s theories will ultimately prevail, but whether the allegations are sufficient to allow
the plaintiff to conduct discovery in an attempt to prove them. See Jackam v. Hosp. Corp. of Am.
Mideast, Ltd., 800 F.2d 1577, 1579 (11th Cir. 1986).
B.
Petition for Writ of Certiorari
In their petition, Plaintiffs seek certiorari review of the City’s quasi-judicial decision
denying their special use permit application. Plaintiffs allege that the City departed from the
essential requirements of law and lacked competent substantial evidence to support its denial of
the permit application.
Defendants contend the petition should be dismissed with prejudice, because the record
reflects that Plaintiffs cannot prevail in establishing that the City’s decision departed from the
essential requirements of law or that its denial lacked competent substantial evidence. Plaintiffs
respond that their petition sufficiently alleges a basis for certiorari relief and Defendants’ motion
to dismiss improperly argues the merits of the certiorari petition.
In its review of the City’s quasi-judicial decision, the Court applies “first-tier” certiorari
review under Florida law. See Flava Works, Inc. v. City of Miami, FL, 609 F. 3d 1233, 1236
(11th Cir. 2010). This requires reviewing the record of the proceedings to determine whether:
(1) procedural due process was accorded, (2) the essential requirements of the law were
observed, and (3) the denial was supported by competent substantial evidence. Id. (citing City of
Deerfield Beach v. Vaillant, 419 So. 2d 624, 626 (Fla. 1982)).
9
The Court finds that Plaintiffs have sufficiently pled a petition for writ of certiorari to
survive a motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs allege that the City’s denial was based on pretextual
reasons and on resident and police officer testimony that was prejudicial or irrelevant to the
review criteria governing Plaintiffs’ permit application. See Conetta v. City of Sarasota, 400 So.
2d 1051, 1053 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981) (finding that neighborhood residents’ objections did not
provide a sound basis for denying permit). Plaintiffs also allege that the City’s denial treated
Plaintiffs differently from other similarly situated establishments in the SoHo District.
Accordingly, the Court denies Defendants’ motion to dismiss the petition for a writ of
certiorari. However, the Court notes that Plaintiffs’ request for an order that the “City may not
impose an AB Classification on [them] other than the 4-COP-X Classification required” is
improper. [Doc. 2, ¶ 42]. When a decision is quashed by certiorari, the Court cannot direct that
any specific action be taken. See Seminole County Bd. of County Comm’rs v. Eden Park Vill.,
Inc., 699 So. 2d 334, 335 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997).
C.
Petition for Writ of Mandamus
Plaintiffs seek a mandamus order requiring the City to adopt an ordinance granting
Plaintiffs’ special use permit application and instructing the zoning administrator to issue the
permit. Plaintiffs allege that the City Council approved their application at the end of the first
public hearing and, under the Code, Plaintiffs have a clear legal right to be issued the permit.
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs’ petition for writ of mandamus must be dismissed
because it would require the Court to review the City’s quasi-judicial determination and the
proper mechanism to review a quasi-judicial proceeding is by way of a petition for writ of
certiorari. However, certiorari review is limited to determining whether procedural due process
was provided, the essential requirements of law were observed, and competent substantial
10
evidence supported the City’s decision to deny Plaintiffs’ permit application. Those certiorari
matters are not challenged in Plaintiffs’ petition for mandamus relief. Instead, Plaintiffs’ petition
contends Defendants have a ministerial duty under the Code to issue the permit; this matter is
properly considered on mandamus. Town of Manalapan v. Rechler, 674 So. 2d 789, 790 (Fla.
4th DCA 1996) (mandamus is used to compel performance of ministerial duties, meaning “there
is no room for the exercise of discretion, and the performance being required is directed by
law.”). The Court therefore disagrees that certiorari, rather than mandamus, relief is the proper
relief.
Defendants also argue that Plaintiffs cannot satisfy the requirements for mandamus relief
because the complaint does not allege sufficient facts to show that Plaintiffs have a clear legal
right to the relief requested, and that Defendants have an indisputable legal duty to perform the
relief requested. Defendants assert that Section 166.041, Florida Statutes, requires two public
readings of a proposed ordinance—on separate days—before an ordinance can be adopted. See §
166.041(3)(a), Fla. Stat.2 Defendants contend the mandamus petition does not allege that this
statutory requirement was met at the end of the first public hearing and therefore Defendants
have no indisputable legal duty to adopt an ordinance granting Plaintiffs’ application at the end
of that first public hearing.
The Court agrees with Defendants. Plaintiffs’ petition alleges that the City Council must
conduct two public readings of the proposed ordinance granting an S-2 permit, [Doc. 2, ¶ 91],
but fails to allege that a second reading occurred at the end of the first public hearing. Nor could
they allege this; the petition’s exhibits state that the first reading occurred at the first public
hearing and the second reading occurred at the second public hearing. [Doc. 1, Appx. 137-38,
413-14]. Thus, even accepting all allegations in the complaint as true, Plaintiffs’ allegations do
2
Sections 27-127(b)(2) and 27-149(b) of the Code require compliance with Section 166.041.
11
not and cannot show that they had a clear legal right to compel the City to approve their permit
application immediately after the first public hearing.
Accordingly, the Court grants Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ petition for writ
of mandamus with prejudice.
D.
Count I: Claim for Declaratory Judgment and Supplemental Relief
In count I, Plaintiffs allege they acquired a vested right to have the City consider their
permit application under S-1 procedures. [Doc. 2, ¶ 142]. This vested right was created because
Plaintiffs originally submitted an S-1 permit application in good faith reliance on the manner in
which the City evaluated similarly situated applicants and on Moreda’s and Sousa’s
representations.
[Id.].
Count I also alleges that the City’s denial “was deliberately
discriminatory and carried out in bad faith” and Plaintiffs “acquired a vested right to have the
City approve [their] S-2 version” of the permit application. [Id., ¶ 144]. Plaintiffs request the
Court declare that their vested rights were violated when Defendants switched Plaintiffs’ S-1
application to an S-2 application and denied their permit application without justification. [Id., ¶
154(a)]. They also request supplemental monetary relief. [Id., ¶ 154(b)].
1.
Method of Review
Defendants argue that count I requires the Court to review the City’s quasi-judicial
decision to deny Plaintiffs’ application, and any review must be sought by a petition for writ of
certiorari. In response, Plaintiffs do not dispute that the City’s denial of their permit is a quasijudicial decision; nor do they dispute that quasi-judicial decisions are reviewed by way of
certiorari. Plaintiffs contend, however, that certiorari would be improper because count I does
not request a review of the quasi-judicial proceedings; rather, it seeks declaratory relief based on
their “vested rights” under Florida law, created by conditions of equitable estoppel and bad faith.
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The Court finds that count I is not subject to certiorari review.
Count I does not
challenge matters that must be reviewed by certiorari—i.e., procedural due process, the essential
requirements of law, and competent substantial evidence. See Palazzo Las Olas Group LLC v.
City of Fort Lauderdale, 966 So. 2d 497, 502 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007) (“[w]hile any direct challenge
seeking to overturn the Commission’s decision denying site plan approval had to be sought via
the filing of a petition for writ of certiorari, this did not preclude Palazzo from bringing a civil
suit, wherein it sought relief on matters beyond those appropriately addressed during the
certiorari proceeding.”). Rather, count I alleges Defendants’ actions gave rise to Plaintiffs’
vested right under equitable estoppel and bad faith—matters that are outside the scope of
certiorari review and properly addressed in a declaratory judgment claim. Id. at 501 (whether the
city, based on its actions, was equitably estopped from denying plan approval was an issue that
certiorari could not address; the court erred in dismissing the declaratory judgment claim).
Further, certiorari review is limited to the record of the quasi-judicial proceeding; the
Court does not sit as a trial court to consider new evidence or make additional findings. See
Dade County v. Marca, S.A., 326 So. 2d 183, 184 (Fla. 1976); Vichich v. Dep’t of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles, 799 So. 2d 1069, 1073-74 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001). Count I includes
allegations regarding Defendants’ conduct and representations that occurred outside of the quasijudicial proceedings.
This requires the Court to review evidence beyond the record of
proceedings conducted before the City Council, which would be improper on certiorari.
Although count I includes allegations relating to the City’s quasi-judicial denial, they
appear to be a part of Plaintiffs’ claim for declaratory relief that it acquired vested rights under
Florida law due to equitable estoppel and bad faith. See Coral Springs Street Sys. v. City of
Sunrise, 371 F.3d 1320, 1334-38 (11th Cir. 2004) (applying Florida law) (vested rights are
13
created under conditions of equitable estoppel or bad faith conduct).
Defendants did not
challenge whether those allegations sufficiently state a vested rights claim based on equitable
estoppel or bad faith; count I therefore will not be dismissed as insufficiently pled.
2.
Money Damages
However, the Court finds that Plaintiffs are barred from seeking “supplemental relief in
the form of money damages” under Section 86.061, Florida Statutes, to compensate for losses
“caused by City’s unlawful conduct.” [Doc. 2, ¶ 154]. Based on clear Florida precedent, the
City’s alleged unlawful conduct—i.e., its refusal to evaluate and grant the S-1 permit application
and its denial of the S-2 permit application—falls squarely within the scope of governmental
functions that are immune from money damages.
Defendants argue that count I’s claim for damages should be dismissed because the City
cannot be liable for damages for refusing to issue Plaintiffs’ permit. As support, Defendants cite
to cases explaining that the doctrine of sovereign immunity bars the recovery of damages against
a municipality for purely governmental functions, which includes any conduct or functions
relating to the issuance of permits. In Akin v. City of Miami, the Florida Supreme Court held that
sovereign immunity barred the plaintiff—who had obtained a declaratory judgment that the city
unlawfully and arbitrarily denied the plaintiff’s permit—from seeking damages in supplemental
proceedings. 65 So. 2d 54, 55 (Fla. 1953).
In response, Plaintiffs imply that Akin is inapplicable because it predates the declaratory
judgment statute by which Plaintiffs seek relief. This argument lacks merit. The Akin plaintiff
sought damages through the supplemental relief provision under Section 87.07, which was
renumbered to and is substantively the same as Section 86.061, the supplemental relief provision
at issue here. Both provide that: “Further relief based on a declaratory decree, judgment or order
14
may be granted whenever necessary or proper. The application therefor shall be by petition to the
circuit court having jurisdiction to grant the relief.” § 86.061, Fla. Stat.; Lasseter v. Blalock, 139
So. 2d 726, 729 (Fla. 1st DCA 1962) (quoting § 87.07, Fla. Stat.). Moreover, Akin is followed
by precedent uniformly holding that a municipality cannot be liable for damages for any conduct
or function relating to the issuance of a permit. See, e.g., City of Cape Coral v. Landahl, Brown
& Weed Associates, Inc., 470 So. 2d 25, 27 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985) (“there is no cause of action for
the manner in which a municipality exercises its governmental function of issuing or refusing to
issue permits” and “[t]hus, those actions of a municipality are immune from an action for
damages”) (citing Trianon Park Condo. Assoc., Inc. v. City of Hialeah, 468 So. 2d 912 (Fla.
1985)); City of Live Oak v. Arnold, 468 So. 2d 410, 412 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985) (holding that the
city’s actions in denying a permit based on its reading of its code of ordinances were immune
from damages); Paedae v. Escambia County, 709 So. 2d 575, 578 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998).
Plaintiffs’ remaining arguments do not support a finding that money damages are
available in this case. Plaintiffs’ reliance on Depaola v. Town of Davie is not well founded
because Depaola did not involve a claim for damages based on a governmental function, such as
permitting. 872 So. 2d 377, 381 (Fla. 4th DCA 2004). Further, Plaintiffs’ contention that
Paedae actually supports their damages claim is inexplicable, given Paedae’s holding that,
despite obtaining declaratory and injunctive relief for the city’s unlawful refusal to issue the
plaintiff’s permit, the plaintiff had no cause of action for damages under Florida law. 709 So. 2d
at 576-78.
Accordingly, the Court grants Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ count I’s claim
for supplemental relief in the form of money damages.
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E.
Count II: Claim Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983
Plaintiffs’ Section 1983 claim alleges that the City’s denial of Plaintiffs’ application
violated their equal protection and substantive due process rights under the Fourteenth
Amendment. [Doc. 2, ¶ 170]. Plaintiffs seek damages and attorneys’ fees. [Id. , ¶¶ 159, 170].
1.
Substantive Due Process
Plaintiffs allege that the City arbitrarily and capriciously denied Plaintiffs’ special use
permit, a property right created by state law and local ordinances. However, “non-legislative
deprivations of state-created rights, which would include land-use rights, cannot support a
substantive due process claim, not even if the plaintiff alleges that the government acted
arbitrarily and irrationally.” See Greenbriar Vill., L.L.C. v. Mountain Brook, City, 345 F.3d
1258, 1264 (11th Cir. 2003) (citing McKinney v. Pate, 20 F.3d 1550, 1559 (11th Cir. 1994)).3
This is because substantive due process only protects against deprivations of fundamental rights,
which are rights created by the Constitution. Id. at 1262. Plaintiffs’ substantive due process
claim therefore fails under clear Eleventh Circuit precedent.
Accordingly, the Court grants Defendants’ motion to dismiss in that Count II’s
substantive due process claim is dismissed with prejudice.
2.
“Class of One” Equal Protection
Plaintiffs also allege a “class of one” equal protection claim, which requires a showing
that Plaintiffs have been “intentionally treated differently from others similarly situated and that
there is no rational basis for the difference in treatment.” Village of Willowbrook v. Olech, 528
U.S. 562, 564 (2000). Defendants argue that this claim must be dismissed because Plaintiffs
3
Although Plaintiffs cite cases to support their contention that they have a viable substantive due process
claim, those cited cases pre-date McKinney.
16
cannot prove that they were treated differently than similarly situated establishments or that the
City Council lacked any rational basis for their decision.
The Court finds that Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged the necessary elements of a “class
of one” equal protection claim against Defendants to survive a motion to dismiss. A valid
comparator must be similarly situated with respect to all factors that an objectively reasonable
governmental decision maker would have found relevant in making the challenged decision. See
Griffin Indus., Inc. v. Irvin, 496 F.3d 1189, 1203 (11th Cir. 2007). Count II identifies other
similar establishments located in the SoHo District that received the same waivers sought by
Plaintiffs (such as waivers of the requirement regarding distance from other AB Classification
establishments, distance from residences, and number of parking spaces) and were approved for
the special use permit sought by Plaintiffs.
Further, Plaintiffs sufficiently allege that the
difference in treatment was wholly irrational and arbitrary.
Accordingly, the Court denies Defendants’ motion to dismiss in that Count II’s “class of
one” equal protection claim is not dismissed.
IV.
CONCLUSION
Upon consideration, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that:
A. Plaintiffs’ Motion to Remand [Doc. 11] is DENIED.
B. Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 4] is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN
PART as follows:
1. Defendants’ motion to dismiss the petition for writ of mandamus is GRANTED.
The petition for writ of mandamus is dismissed with prejudice.
2. Defendants’ motion to dismiss the petition for writ of certiorari is DENIED.
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3. Defendants’ motion to dismiss Count I for declaratory and supplemental relief is
GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART.
Count I’s claim for
supplemental relief in the form of money damages is dismissed.
4. Defendants’ motion to dismiss Count II under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 is GRANTED
IN PART AND DENIED IN PART. Count II’s substantive due process claim is
dismissed with prejudice.
C. Defendants’ Motion to File DVDs For Consideration Upon the Motion to Dismiss [Doc.
6] is DENIED as moot.
DONE AND ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, this 31st day of July, 2013.
Copies to: Counsel of Record
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