Soja v. Factoryville Sportsmen's Club

• Decision Date: 16 March 1987
• Citation: 361 Pa.Super. 473,522 A.2d 1129
• Parties: Edward SOJA and Barbara Soja, His Wife v. FACTORYVILLE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB, Appellant.
• Court: Pennsylvania Superior Court

Page 1129

522 A.2d 1129

361 Pa.Super. 473

Edward SOJA and Barbara Soja, His Wife v. FACTORYVILLE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB, Appellant.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania.

Argued June 25, 1986.

Filed March 16, 1987.

Steven J. Shiffman, Harrisburg, amicus curiae.

James E. Davis, Tunkhannock, for appellant.

George E. Clark, Scranton, for appellees.

Before CIRILLO, President Judge, and WICKERSHAM ^*, and KELLY, JJ.

CIRILLO, President Judge:

This case involves an appeal by appellant, Factoryville Sportsmen's Club, of an order holding that appellant's firing ranges constitute a private nuisance, and instituting regulations regarding the operation of appellant's business. For the reasons stated below, we vacate the order and remand the case for further proceedings.

The Factoryville Sportsmen's Club ("the Club") operates shooting ranges on its premises in rural-agricultural Overfield Township, Wyoming County. Plaintiffs Edward and Barbara Soja ("the Sojas") reside in a dwelling situated on fifty-five acres of land. The home is located approximately one hundred yards from a clubhouse on the Club's premises. On July 5, 1984, the Sojas brought a suit in equity, seeking to enjoin the continued operation of the Club's shooting ranges. Preliminary objections to the original complaint were sustained in part. The Sojas then filed an amended complaint, asserting that the Club constituted a nuisance which should be enjoined, or which entitled the Sojas to monetary damages. Following a hearing on September 4, 1984, the trial court issued findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a decree nisi, declaring the unsupervised operation of the club to constitute a private nuisance. The decree included certain restrictions on Club operation: the court restricted the shooting season at the Club to the months of April through November, limited the times for shooting to the hours between ten o'clock a.m. and sunset, and prohibited use of the premises by non-members. In addition, the court ordered the Club to install a gate at the entranceway, to maintain a bulletin board at the entrance with a posted monthly schedule of shooting times, to post legible signs on the perimeters of Club property, and to meet with plaintiff Edward Soja for the purpose of producing a comprehensive and reasonable plan for noise reduction. The parties filed post-trial motions, and by order dated January 18, 1986, the decree nisi became final. The trial court stated that its action was based upon the Sojas' request for preliminary injunction and was not intended as a permanent injunction. The court did not require the plaintiffs to post a bond. The Club then appealed to this court.

On appeal, the Club raises five issues: (1) whether the trial court improperly granted injunctive relief without requiring the appellee to post a bond; (2) whether the action is barred by the doctrine of laches (3) whether the plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence to prove that the Club's operation of target and trapshooting ranges constitutes a private nuisance; (4) whether the trial court improperly restricted the questioning of the Club's expert witness; and (5) whether the trial court erred in requiring the Club to produce a comprehensive plan for noise reduction devices. Because we find that the trial court improperly entered a final injunction in response to a request for a preliminary injunction, we need not discuss the individual issues presented by the Club.

The purposes of a preliminary injunction are to preserve the status quo and prevent imminent and irreparable harm which might occur before the merits of the case can be heard and determined. Township of Clinton v. Carmat, Inc., 288 Pa.Super. 433, 436, 432 A.2d 238, 239 (1981). It is considered an extraordinary remedy and may only be granted if the plaintiff has established a clear right to the relief sought. Jostan Alum. Products, Inc. v. Mount Carmel Dist. Indus. Fund, 256 Pa.Super. 353, 357-58, 389 A.2d 1160, 1163 (1978).

A preliminary injunction is usually restrictive or prohibitory but in unusual cases it may go beyond restraint and command action. Jostan, 256 Pa.Super. at 358, 389 A.2d at 1163. In either case, its purpose is to preserve the status quo and it should do this by restoring the last peaceable, noncontested status which preceded the controversy. Shanaman v. Yellow Cab Co., 491 Pa. 516, 421 A.2d 664 (1980).

The procedural steps which must be followed when a preliminary injunction is sought are enumerated in Rule 1531 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. Ordinarily, a preliminary injunction may be issued only after written notice and hearing. ¹ See Pa.R.Civ.P. 1531(a). The question to be determined at this hearing is whether there is an urgent necessity for interim relief before the case can be heard on the merits. Tentex Products, Inc. v. Kramer, 330 Pa.Super. 183, 198, 479 A.2d 500, 507 (1984). Before a preliminary injunction may be granted, the plaintiff must file a bond with the prothonotary. See Pa.R.Civ.P. 1531(b). This requirement is mandatory and an appellate court must invalidate a preliminary injunction if a bond is not filed by the plaintiff. Christo v. Tuscany, 308 Pa.Super. 564, 568, 454 A.2d 1042, 1044 (1982). Therefore, even if the trial court's order was otherwise proper, its failure to require the posting of a bond would mandate our reversal of its decision.

After a preliminary injunction is awarded or denied, the case proceeds for a disposition on the merits. If the plaintiff is requesting permanent injunctive relief, the case is governed by the rules controlling actions in equity. See Pa.R.Civ.P. 1517. At any time prior to the final disposition of the matter, either party may request that the preliminary injunction be modified or dissolved. See Pa.R.Civ.P. 1531. Often, one of the terms in the preliminary decree is a provision requiring speedy disposition of the case on its merits. See 15 Standard Pa.Practice § 83:184. This final disposition is independent of the court's prior determination as to the plaintiff's right to preliminary relief. The denial of a preliminary injunction does not foreclose an order for a permanent injunction. This result is logical because, as noted, the plaintiff's right to preliminary relief is based on the imminence of irreparable harm. However, a court may issue a final injunction if such relief is necessary to prevent a legal wrong for which there is no adequate redress at law. Fox-Morris Associates, Inc. v. Conroy, 460 Pa. 290, 294, 333 A.2d 732, 734 (1975) (Roberts, J., concurring).

There is no requirement that a bond be filed in connection with a final injunction. See Pa.R.Civ.P. 1531(b). When a final injunction is granted, the court must issue a preliminary decree as mandated by Rule 1517. This order must contain a decree nisi, a statement of the issues, findings of fact and conclusions of law. Id.

Appellate courts have consistently held that it is improper for the trial judge to treat a hearing on an application for a preliminary injunction as a final hearing on the merits and as a basis for a final decree unless so stipulated by the parties. See, e.g., Naus & Newlyn, Inc. v. Mason, 295 Pa.Super. 208, 211, 441 A.2d 422, 424 (1982); Crestwood School District v. Topito, 76 Pa.Commw. 321, 463 A.2d 1247 (1983); Raw v. Lehnert, 238 Pa.Super. 324, 357 A.2d 574 (1976).

In reviewing an injunctive decree, an appellate court must look to the nature of the relief granted in order to determine whether it was a preliminary or permanent injunction. The label attached by the trial court to the proceedings or the relief granted is not controlling. Naus, 295 Pa.Super. at 211, 441 A.2d at 424.

In Naus, employee Mason agreed to an employment contract with Naus & Newlyn, Inc. (N & N), barring him from competition with N & N, and from soliciting N & N clients. Mason later started his own company and he contacted several N & N customers. N & N filed a complaint in equity seeking to enjoin such contacts. After a preliminary hearing, the court enjoined Mason from: (1)...