Rogers v. Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission

Finan, J., delivered the opinion of the Court. At the conclusion of the plaintiffs’ (appellants) case, the court below dismissed their bill requesting injunctive relief, not only on the ground of lack of standing of the plaintiffs to maintain this action but also on the merits of the case. We agree with the chancellor’s finding of lack of standing and see no justification for extending this opinion beyond that threshold question. On June 8, 1954, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (appellee) adopted a development plan for Rock Creek Park, Units 2 and 3 in Montgomery County, Maryland, which was approved by the National Capital Planning Commission on June 10, 1954.

This plan, among other improvements, provided for the extension of Beach Drive. Having completed three of four sections of Beach Drive, in June, 1967, the appellee retained an engineering firm to prepare specifications in accordance with the 1954 plan for the last section in Unit' 3. Feeling that the proposed recreational development was too intensive, the appellee directed its staff to ⁶⁸⁹ prepare a revision in the plan to lessen development. The revised plans were submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, where they failed approval by a tie vote, leaving the original 1954 plan in full force and effect.

The Commission then advertised and accepted bids for the construction of the park drive. The appellants filed their bill seeking injunctive relief against any action of the Commission to construct Beach Drive “unless and until the defendant Commission seeks and obtains the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission for the construction of such road, * * * publishes notice of and holds a public hearing to consider the plan or plans containing such proposed road, and * * * develops a plan for the park area in question that provides for the development, beautification or maintenance of the park area.” Appellee, in its answer, denied that the plaintiffs had any standing to sue, and affirmatively alleged that “its engineering plans and specifications for the construction of the extension of Beach Drive were prepared from the 1954 plan and are in accordance with it.” After denying other material allegations, the appellee also affirmatively alleged that the action “was brought in bad faith, without substantial justification, for the purpose of delay and harassment.” Judge Shure gave the following reasons as to why the court found a lack of standing on the part of the plaintiffs: “The plaintiffs are listed as Edward Lee Rogers and Miss Raye Page and Thomas Silk. None of these three plaintiffs have testified, according to my recollection and my notes. There has been absolutely no testimony of any standing to proceed in this case; not even a suggestion of any deprivation of any legal rights to which they might be entitled.

So the suit, of necessity, would have to be dismissed for lack of any standing to request such an injunction. There is no testimony from any source. But I will review this case because I understand the feelings, at least of some in the area, which must have prompted this suit.” (Emphasis supplied.) ⁶⁹⁰ The appellants seek to establish their standing to maintain this action by relying on the allegations set forth in their bill of complaint claiming residence, property ownership, payment of taxes, status as an aggrieved property owner, use of Rock Creek Park and proximity to Rock Creek Park. They also endeavor to prove their standing by implication.

None of the plaintiffs having testified, they now argue that since Mrs. Edward Lee Rogers testified, the deduction may legitimately be drawn that her evidence proves that one of the parties, namely her husband, was a taxpayer and an aggrieved property owner. It . should be noted that Mrs. Rogers was testifying, not