Gillette v. Tyson

• Decision Date: 06 June 1929
• Docket Number: 3 Div. 880.
• Citation: 219 Ala. 511,122 So. 830
• Parties: GILLETTE, BLDG. INSPECTOR, v. TYSON ET AL.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

122 So. 830

219 Ala. 511

GILLETTE, BLDG. INSPECTOR, v. TYSON ET AL.

3 Div. 880.

Supreme Court of Alabama

June 6, 1929

Appeal from Circuit Court, Montgomery County; Walter B. Jones Judge.

Petition of A. P. Tyson, Jr., and another for mandamus to F. A Gillette, as Building Inspector of the City of Montgomery. Judgment for petitioners, and respondent appeals. Reversed and remanded.

Goodwyn & Goodwyn and Hill, Hill, Whiting, Thomas & Rives, all of Montgomery, for appellant.

Rushton Crenshaw & Rushton, of Montgomery, for appellees.

FOSTER J.

Section 1878 of the Code grants authority to municipal corporations to create districts or zones within its limits for business industrial, and residential purposes.

Section 1879 provides for the manner of the adoption of such zoning ordinances, and requires a publication of the proposed ordinance at least fifteen days in advance of its passage.

Such an ordinance was duly adopted for the city of Montgomery. One provision of the ordinance prohibits the use of a filling station within the A residential district, unless, among other things, there is given the unanimous consent of the owners of certain lots situated adjoining the proposed filling station and those situated otherwise as therein stated.

Appellees own a lot in said A residential district, and contracted for the erection of a filling station. They applied to the city authorities for a building permit in accordance with city ordinances pertaining to the erection of buildings in the city. This permit was denied them, for the reason expressly stated in writing that the "application is not accompanied by a petition showing consent in writing of the property owners in the vicinity of the proposed site as required by the zoning ordinance." Upon such refusal of the issuance of the permit this proceeding of mandamus was begun to require its issuance.

Appellees claim that the ordinance in question is in violation of their constitutional rights.

In the case of Longshore v. City of Montgomery, 22 Ala. App. 620, 119 So. 599, the Court of Appeals of Alabama so held, and this court denied a writ of certiorari for its review. Id., 218 Ala. 597, 119 So. 601. We have no disposition to disturb that judicial situation nor give further treatment to that question.

But appellant now justifies himself in refusing the application, by virtue of an ordinance passed by the city commission after the filing of the petition in this case. By the terms of such ordinance it is made unlawful "to construct, erect, remodel or repair any *** filling station *** within the 'A' residential district."

This ordinance was not adopted pursuant to the authority of sections 1878 and 1879 of the Code, for it was not published "fifteen days in advance of its passage" as therein provided. Appellant does not claim justification for it under the authority of those sections, but claims that under its general police power the city commission had such authority, and that its effect is sufficient justification for the denial of relief in this proceeding, though not in existence when the permit was sought and denied, nor when the petition in this case was filed.

Appellant offered to prove the "general character and manner of handling of such a filling station as that referred to in the petition and that it would be a menace to the health and comfort and unsanitary in this a residential section-and that it would be a greater fire hazard, and that it would be noisy and an annoyance to the citizens in this residential section." The court declined to permit such proof, and granted relief to appellees.

It is the view of the Court that appellees are not entitled to a writ of mandamus whether or not there is an ordinance prohibiting the structure, if it will offend section 2034, Code. By virtue of that section all cities and towns have the right "to prevent injury or annoyances from anything dangerous or offensive, or unwholesome and to cause all nuisances to be abated." If the proposed structure comes within the terms of this statute, the city would be justified in denying a permit for its erection, without an ordinance prohibiting it. 43 C.J. 346, 347; Contras v. Jersey City, 135 A. 472, 5 N. J. Misc. R. 59...