Grundstein v. City of Ashland

25 Ohio N.P. (n.s.) 493
CourtAshland County Court of Common Pleas
DecidedJuly 1, 1925
StatusPublished

This text of 25 Ohio N.P. (n.s.) 493 (Grundstein v. City of Ashland) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ashland County Court of Common Pleas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Grundstein v. City of Ashland, 25 Ohio N.P. (n.s.) 493 (Ohio Super. Ct. 1925).

Opinion

Graven, J.

.The two cases were consolidated and tried in the sequence stated by the court upon its own motion, deeming it necessary to determine the issues of the first cause, it being apparent, that if the ordinances complained of in the first cause are valid, they constitute an easy, effective and adequate remedy for the things complained of in the second cause; namely, the wrongful, unlawful and injurious operation of a junk yard and junk business within the corporate limits of the city of Ashland.

The petition in the first cause, alleges the passage and adoption of an ordinance by the council of said city, May .5, 1925, entitled. “Prohibiting junk dealers from operating within the city limits of Ashland, Ohio.” And providing as follows;

[494]*494“Sec. 1. That it shall be unlawful from and after the passage of this ordinance for any person, corporation or partnership, to conduct a junk yard within the city limits of Ashland, Ohio.

“Sec. 2. Any person, either in the capacity of owner, agent or manager, or employee of any person or corporation, who violates the provisions of this ordinance shall be fined not more than $100.00 for the first offense and not more than $500.00 for the second offense, and each day shall constitute a second offense.

(Repealing former ordinance of regulatory purport).

“See. 3. That this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergenC3'- measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property of the inhabitants of the city of Ashland, Ohio, and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the mayor, and its publication.”

Plaintiff alleges that for some time he has been operating a junk yard in said city, has made improvements and made large expenditures necessary for the conduct of his business; that he is threatened with arrest and prosecution under said ordinance, He alleges that said ordinance is unlawful and asks the court to declare said ordinance invalid and restrain its enforcement.

To the petition a general demurrer was interposed, thus raising the legal issues: Is the operation of a junk yard a nuisance per se or in and of itself, or can the council of the city of Ashland by legislative action so declare a. junk yard a nuisance, or is such a pronouncement with the province of the courts dependent upon the attendant circumstances in the particular case.

What is a nuisance ? Offers some difficulty of definition. One frequently quoted is: “A nuisance consists in unlawfully doing an act, or omitting to perform a duty, which act or omission either damages, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of others, offends decency, or in any way renders other persons insecure in life or in the use of property.” It must be more than a tendency. It must be tangible, appreciable, actual, measureable.

“Anything wrongfully done or permitted which injures another in the enjoyment of his legal rights.” (38 O. S., 448).

[495]*495Nowhere do we find judicial authority of any strength defining and declaring the junk or junk yard business a nuisance within and of itself. Nor is there anything statutory that brands it in any way as an outlaw business, and any statutory restrictions or exactions are under the assumed necessity of police power or regulation. Nor is the business, as a business, within the scope of the so-called police power. And in line therewith it should be constantly borne in mind, however, that to justify the state, city or municipality in interposing its authority in behalf of the public, it must appear first, that the interests of the public generally, as distinguished from those of a particular class requires such interference; and second, that the means are reasonably necessary for the accomplishment of the purpose, and not duly oppressive upon individuals.

The Legislature or the city council may not under the guise of protecting the public interests, arbitrarily interfere with private business and interpose unusual and unnecessary restrictions upon lawful occupations or business. The law will not allow the rights of property to be invaded under the guise of protection when it is manifest that such is not the object and purpose of the regulation.

As a general proposition, courts will not interfere in purely discretionary matters or purely legislative functions of a city council or legislative body, and rarely will interfere to enjoin legislation but will consider and adjudicate legislation, if passed, except as to legislation clearly ultra vires, or to protect private rights that would be prejudiced without fault of those having the rights, and generally a court of equity has no jurisdiction against an invalid ordinance until an attempt is made to enforce its terms.

Decisions of the courts are almost uniformally in harmony with the conclusion so tersely expressed in Deming v. Cleveland, 22nd O. C. C. (N. S.) 198:

“The question of what amounts to a public nuisance is a judicial and not a legislative question, and the declaration of neither the Legislature nor of the council of a municipal corporation can make a thing a public nuisance if it is not one in fact.”

[496]*496The demurrer to the said petition was sustained, and thereby the purported ordinance: “prohibiting junk dealers from operating within the city limits of Ashland, Ohio,” was declared invalid, void and of no effect.

The court holding thus, then proceeded to the hearing of the second case, No. 18269, the pleadings of which raise the issues that the defendant is engaged in the junk business upon a lot adjoining plaintiff’s lot and upon another lot cornering at the north-east corner with the first lot occupied by the defendant; that the conditions occasioned by the junk business will expose plaintiff and his family in the enjoyment of their home to an unhealthy atmospheric condition; that the wrecking of old machines thereon will be a continued noise; that trucks going to and from said junk yards will expose plaintiff to inconvenience and danger in traveling from'his residence to his work and to the main part of- Ashland. All of which alleged grievances are denied by the defendant.

Temporary restraining orders were allowed and plaintiff prays that defendant may be permanently enjoined from operating a junk business in said locations.

The conceded facts and conditions are: Ohio- street is a paved thoroughfare running approximately west from Cottage street. Willow street is unimproved and runs from Ohio street north several hundred feet and joins Erie street in the middle of the H. Y. E. Lumber Company’s plant and yards. Defendant’s first lot fronts fifty feet on Ohio street and' extends one hundred and thirty-five feet north on the south side of Willow street to a twelve-foot alley running from Willow street west. Plaintiff’s lot fronts on Ohio street thirty feet and runs about one hundred and thirty-five feet to said alley and sides or joins defendant’s first lot on the south. Defendant’s west line running about four feet from plaintiff’s residence. Plaintiff’s terrace apparently overhangs and his grape arbor, garden and garage drive at the rear extends several feet on defendant’s first lot. The lumber company’s mill plant, yards and sheds are across the twelve-foot alley north and at the rear of plaintiff’s and defendant’s lots.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
25 Ohio N.P. (n.s.) 493, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/grundstein-v-city-of-ashland-ohctcomplashlan-1925.