Spence v. Kuznia

• Decision Date: 29 November 1943
• Docket Number: No. 21.,21.
• Citation: 11 N.W.2d 865,307 Mich. 219
• Parties: SPENCE et al. v. KUZNIA et al.
• Court: Michigan Supreme Court

307 Mich. 219

11 N.W.2d 865

SPENCE et al.

v.KUZNIA et al.

No. 21.

Supreme Court of Michigan.

Nov. 29, 1943.

Suit by David Spence and wife and others against Paul Kuznia and wife and others to enjoin the construction of a building to be used for commercial purposes in violation of plat restrictions. From an adverse decree, plaintiffs appeal.

Decree for plaintiffs.

Appeal from Circuit Court, Genesee County, in Chancery; Paul V. Gadola, Judge.

Before the Entire Bench.

Lewis Kearns, of Flint, for appellants.

Leo M. Church, of Flint, for appellees.

BOYLES, Chief Justice.

The plaintiffs, and defendants Kuznia and wife, are owners of property located in Boulevard Heights subdivision in the city of Flint. Defendant William Johnson is a contractor employed by Kuznia and wife, and the defendants John Doe and Mary Roe are unidentified and not elsewhere referred to in the record. For brevity, we hereinafter refer to ‘the defendants' as meaning Kuznia and wife. Defendants, in May, 1942, became the owners of lots 1 and 2, block 1, of this subdivision, by conveyance from the Michigan State 1 and office board. The various lots and parcels in said subdivision are restricted pursuant to plat restrictions contained in the original plat of the subdivision. The conveyance from the previous owner, as well as the plat of Boulevard Heights subdivision, contained the following restrictions applying to the premises acquired by defendants (lots 1 and 2, block 1, of the subdivision):

‘1. No buildings of any kind shall be erected except private dwellings, duplex, semi-detached and apartment houses and appurtenances thereto, with private garage or private stables except on lots fronting on Pierson avenue which shall be reserved for mercantile and residential purposes. * * *

‘8. No building shall be erected, maintained or used for commercial purposes except on lots on Pierson road and no building shall be used for manufacturing purposes or the sale of intoxicating liquors * * *.’

It is conceded that defendants' property does not front on Pierson avenue and is not on Pierson road, that lots 1 and 2, block 1, face Saginaw street. Plaintiffs Spence and wife own lot 3, block 1, of the subdivision, on which they have an attractive semi-bungalow home. Lots 1 and 2, block 1, immediately east of the Spence home on lot 3, were vacant lots when acquired by defendants. Shortly after defendants acquired title to lots 1 and 2 they started construction of a building thereon for commercial purposes, for operating a retail store or mechandising establishment. Mrs. Spence (plaintiff) promptly advised the defendants that their lots were restricted against business buildings. However, Kuznia continued his construction work, and this suit was immediately started to permanently enjoin the defendants from the construction of a building to be used for commercial purposes on lots 1 and 2. A temporary restraining order was issued.

Defendants first relied upon a claim that any building restrictions at the time the subdivision was platted had been modified by a zoning ordinance of the city of Flint permitting the use of lots 1 and 2, block 1, for business and commercial purposes. This claim has been abandoned and defendants subsequently rely on the claim that the building restrictions in said subdivision have been modified and changed by the character of the neighborhood and the use of Saginaw street for commercial purposes; that said restrictions have been voided as to Saginaw street by usage and custom, and that plaintiffs have slept too long on their rights to enforce the restrictions.

The proofs showed that no part of block 1 had been used for business or commercial purposes or occupied by a business building; that there was no lot in the next block north of block 1 so occupied or used. The only proof tending to show use of the subdivision for business purposes was that a small building had been erected on Saginaw street and used as a beauty parlor in the fourth block distant from block 1, the existence of which had only recently come to the attention of Mr. and Mrs. Spence; that there was a doctor's office in the subdivision; that a private residence had a little sign indicating an insurance agent; and that a church was being erected on Saginaw street on the corner across the street from lots 1, 2 and 3. There had been no retail store or mercantile establishment erected or used as such in the restricted area of the plat. It was also shown that north Saginaw street beyond the subdivision was largely used for business and commercial purposes. There was further testimony that Saginaw street was burdened with heavy traffic, suitable for business purposes rather than residential.

Plaintiffs herein own homes in a subdivision restricted against the erection or use of buildings for commercial purposes. The record before us fails to establish that the character of the property in the subdivision has been changed from residential to commercial use, nor does it establish that the plaintiffs herein have acquiesced in any such change or use, nor have they been dilatory in seeking to maintain the restrictions. The fact that Saginaw street is now more suitable for commercial purposes does not nullify the restrictions. The question before us is as to the property rights of the plaintiffs, and not as to what...