Case ID: mich_238/html/0029-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Snow, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In re PETITION OF BOARD OF COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS OF MACOMB COUNTY.
    Eminent Domain — Constitutional Law — Statute Denying Right op Hearing on Question op Necessity Unconstitutional.
    Proceedings for the condemnation of land for highway purposes under Act No. 352, Pub. Acts 1925, are void; section 4 of said act being unconstitutional in that it denies to the owner of the land taken the right of notice, hearing, and opportunity to defend on the question of necessity, in violation of section 1, Art. 13, of the Constitution.
    Eminent Domain, 20 C. J. §§ 113, 380.
    Certiorari to Macomb; Reid (Neil E.), J.
    Submitted January 12, 1927.
    (Docket No. 64.)
    Decided April 1, 1927.
    Condemnation proceedings by the board of county road commissioners of Macomb county under Act No. 352, Pub. Acts 1925, against Michael Elbanowski and another to obtain land for highway purposes. From an order confirming the award, defendants bring certiorari.
    Reversed, and proceedings quashed.
    
      Henry C. Bogle, for appellants.
   Snow, J.

The board of county road commissioners of Macomb county, pursuant to Act No. 352, Pub. Acts 1925, attempted to condemn certain lands for the purpose of altering, widening, and changing the line of what is known as the Ten-Mile road, and defendants review proceedings on certiorari.

It is contended by defendants, whose land is sought for such purpose, that section 4 of the act denies them the right of notice, hearing, and opportunity to defend on the question of necessity, and is therefore unconstitutional, being in violation of section 1 of article 13 of the State Constitution. The contention is right. This court has recently so held in Hendershott v. Rogers, 237 Mich. 338, which was handed down after the instant case was received.

In view thereof, the proceedings must be held void and of no effect. No costs to either party, as the matter is one of public moment.

Sharpe, C. J., and Bird, Steers, Fellows, Wiest, Clark, and McDonald, JJ., concurred.