City of Dearborn v. Charles E. Austin, Inc.
City of Dearborn v. Charles E. Austin, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
Defendants and their privies have-been owners of land in the city of Dearborn abutting-on the River Rouge. Located thereon are 4 metal tanks, built in 1937 and 1938, for storage of gasoline- and petroleum products. Three, with approximately a 10,000-barrel capacity each, are not here in controversy. The fourth was constructed with a capacity of over 4,000,000 gallons. It was 150 feet in diameter and 32 feet high. The capacity of the 4 tanks totaled over 5,500,000 gallons. The tanks were-
In 1953 the city condemned the use of the installation for storage of petroleum products on the grounds that it did not meet safety requirements of the State fire marshal’s office and that the tanks had deteriorated and were dangerous for such storage. Use was thereupon discontinued. The large storage tank collapsed later in that year and has not been used since.
In 1955 the suit by the city was brought seeking to enjoin the use of the premises and installation for storage of gasoline and petroleum products until they conformed to the flammable liquids regulations of the city and State and to require repair of the tanks and dikes on the premises because, when used for petroleum products storage purposes, they constituted a public nuisance and hazard to life and property.
In 1956 the State, by the commissioner of State police, filed suit seeking like injunctive relief and an order to require removal of all flammable liquids and storage tanks on the grounds that the premises constituted a fire hazard dangerous to life and public safety.
The 2 cases were consolidated for hearing, as they now are for this appeal. During the process of the litigation arrangements were made and permits granted for repairs to the 3 smaller tanks. Their use is, therefore, as previously stated, no longer in controversy. Permits to rebuild the large tank were., denied by the city with advices that no permit would! be forthcoming until failures to comply with Michigan flammable liquids regulations were corrected and' unless and until compliance was accomplished or assured.
The court below entered a decree requiring defendants to abandon use of the large tank, and to-make certain improvements to the dikes, pumphouse, and other parts of the installation, in the interests of public safety.
Defendants moved for a rehearing, on the ground that the court erred in its decisions with respect to-the 2 above noted issues in the case. An order entered denying rehearing. Defendants appeal from that order.
Defendants say, on appeal, that proofs in the case-established the contrary of the judge’s finding that the large tank had been damaged to an extent of more than 50 %
We see no error in denial of the motion for rehearing. Affirmed, with costs to plaintiffs.
The 50% figure, in contrast to the 75% mentioned in the building code, comes from provisions concerning nonconforming uses in the city’s zoning ordinance.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- CITY OF DEARBORN v. CHARLES E. AUSTIN, INC. COMMISSIONER OF MICHIGAN STATE POLICE v. SAME
- Status
- Published