Case Name: TRUCKOR v. ERIE TOWNSHIP
Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 2009-03-31
Citations: 283 Mich. App. 154
Docket Number: Docket No. 279475
Parties: TRUCKOR v ERIE TOWNSHIP
Judges: Before: GLEICHER, EJ., and K. F. KELLY and MURRAY, JJ.
Reporter: Michigan appeals reports; cases decided in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Volume: 283
Pages: 154–176

Head Matter:
TRUCKOR v ERIE TOWNSHIP
Docket No. 279475.
Submitted November 5, 2008, at Detroit.
Decided March 31, 2009, at 9:15 a.m.
Jeffrey A. Truckor and Alcatraz Industries, Inc., brought an action in the Monroe Circuit Court against Erie Township and several township officials, challenging a township zoning ordinance that regulated the operation of adult entertainment businesses. Alcatraz operated an adult entertainment business on land owned by Truckor and planned to move it to another parcel of land that Truckor owned, but was unable to do so because the business would not be 1,200 feet from any residential use, as required by the ordinance. The court, Michael W LaBeau, J., granted the defendants’ motion for summary disposition, ruling that the ordinance did not violate the plaintiffs’ right to free speech because it did not unreasonably limit alternative channels of communication. The plaintiffs appealed.
The Court of Appeals held:
1. The ordinance does not violate the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights. A community cannot effectively preclude by zoning the operation of legal businesses. Content-neutral time, place, and manner regulations, however, are acceptable as long as they are designed to serve a substantial governmental interest and do not unreasonably limit alternative avenues of communication. In this case, the plaintiffs are already exercising their First Amendment rights by operating an existing adult entertainment business that is grandfathered under the ordinance. It is proper to include grandfathered sites when analyzing reasonable alternative avenues of communication. A government does not violate the First Amendment when it allows the protected speech to occur, even if not in the desired locale.
2. The ordinance does not allow unbridled discretion in the handling of an application for a special use permit to operate an adult entertainment business. The ordinance sets out a detailed procedure that the township’s planning commission and the township board must follow when they receive and rule on a special use application, as well as nine standards the applicant must meet to avoid denial. The ordinance also provides specific time frames for the application process, including time frames applicable when a public hearing is required. Thus, the ordinance does not constitute an unlawful prior restraint on speech.
3. The trial court did not err by dismissing the plaintiffs’ additional claims, such as interference with business relationships and conspiracy. All the claims in the plaintiffs’ complaint derived from the alleged unconstitutionality of the ordinance.
Affirmed.
Gleicher, RJ., dissenting, would hold that the ordinance violates the First Amendment because it fails to provide adult entertainment businesses with adequate alternative avenues of expression. As the majority acknowledges, under the ordinance’s footage restrictions, there is no place for a new adult entertainment business to locate within the zoning district that the ordinance requires. Thus, the ordinance effectively denies any adult entertainment business the opportunity to locate within the township and prevents the plaintiffs from relocating their business. An ordinance that permits only one grandfathered business and prohibits its relocation does not leave open ample alternative avenues of communication. The First Amendment does not mandate that a community host or leave available any specific minimum number of sites for adult entertainment venues, but it does require that interested parties have a reasonable opportunity to disseminate this form of constitutionally protected expression.
Constitutional Law — First Amendment — Free Speech — Adult Entertainment - Zoning — Alternative Avenues of Communicating Protected Speech — Grandfathering Under Zoning Ordinances.
Content-neutral time, place, and manner zoning regulations of protected speech such as nonobscene erotic entertainment are acceptable under the First Amendment as long as they are designed to serve a substantial governmental interest and do not unreasonably limit alternative avenues of communication; in determining the availability of reasonable alternative avenues of communication, a court may consider the existence of currently operating adult entertainment businesses grandfathered under the ordinance.
Patrick R. Millican for Jeffrey A. Truckor and Alcatraz Industries, Inc.
Lucas Law PC (by Frederick Lucas) for Erie Township and others.
Lennard, Graham & Goldsmith, P.L.C. (by Phillip D. Goldsmith), for W Thomas Graham.
Before: GLEICHER, EJ., and K. F. KELLY and MURRAY, JJ.

Opinion:
Murray, J.
Erie Township, located in the southwest corner of Monroe County, adopted an ordinance that allows for the operation of adult entertainment establishments, but only in the C-2 zoning district, and then only if certain footage requirements are met. Plaintiffs, the owner of land (Jeffrey A. Truckor) and the entity operating an adult entertainment establishment on that land (Alcatraz Industries, Inc.), appeal by right the trial court's order granting defendants' motion for summary disposition, denying plaintiffs' motion for summary disposition and motion for declaratory judgment, and dismissing the case. The discrete constitutional questions presented are whether the township's regulations "unreasonably limit alternative avenues of communication," City of Renton v Playtime Theatres, Inc, 475 US 41, 47; 106 S Ct 925; 89 L Ed 2d 29 (1986), or constitute a prior restraint on plaintiffs' speech. We hold that (1) the township has not suppressed plaintiffs' "speech," (2) the ordinance otherwise does not unreasonably limit alternative means of communication, and (3) the ordinance does not constitute an unlawful prior restraint. We therefore affirm the trial court's order.
I. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS
Plaintiff Truckor owns a parcel of land on Telegraph Road in Erie Township, on which he operated an adult entertainment business featuring topless dancing from 1992 to 2000. In 2000, Truckor transferred to plaintiff Alcatraz his permits to operate the adult entertainment business. From 2000 through the present, Alcatraz has been operating the adult entertainment business on the Telegraph Road property, which Truckor still owns. In 2003, the township enacted an adult entertainment ordinance, which provides that any adult entertainment establishment must obtain a special use permit, be located on property zoned C-2, and be at least 1,200 feet away from, inter alia, any residential district or residential use.
In particular, § 11.02 allows for the operation of adult entertainment businesses, with subsection A containing the footage requirements and subsection B containing "special performance standards" for signage, lighting, hours of operation, and other particulars. Additionally, under § 5.06 an applicant for a special land use permit — which adult businesses must obtain — must also satisfy the following nine criteria in order to obtain the permit:
1. The project will be harmonious with and in accordance with the Land Use Plan of the Township.
2. The project will be harmonious with and in accordance with the general intent and purposes of this Ordinance.
3. The project will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained so as to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that such a use will not change the essential character of the area in which it is proposed. In determining whether this requirement has been met, consideration shall be given to:
a. The bulk, placement, and materials of construction of proposed structures.
b. Pedestrian and vehicular circulation.
c. The location of vehicular use or parking areas.
4. The project will not be hazardous to any person or property, or detrimental or disturbing to the public welfare or to existing or reasonably anticipated future uses in the same general vicinity.
5. The project will be served adequately by essential public facilities and services, such as highways, streets, police, fire protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewage facilities and schools, and minimize the impact of traffic generated by the proposed development on adjacent properties.
6. The project will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials and equipment or conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any person, property or general welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors.
7. The project will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services.
8. The project shall be in compliance with the site plan approval standards of Section 4.05.
9. The project shall be in compliance with all applicable site development requirements of Article 11 (Standards for Specific Special Land Uses).
Although there are no specific timetables within Article 11 for a decision by the township, under Article 3 of the ordinance, which is the article addressing general administration and enforcement of the ordinance, "all approvals applied for under the Ordinance shall be acted upon in a timely manner." Specifically, a designated approving body must decide any application no more than 90 days from when the application is deemed complete. Art 3, § 3.08(A)(2). If a public hearing is necessary, it must be held within 60 days of a completed application, and 90 days after the hearing. Art 3, § 3.08(A)(3). Article 11 of the ordinance states that decisions "shall" be made and the planning commission must state its reasons in writing for recom mending approval or denial of an application, with reference to the standards within § 5.06. An appeal from the township board is to the circuit court, but there is no provision within the ordinance to allow an establishment to operate while the administrative and judicial process is underway.
In 2005, Truckor purchased a parcel of property zoned C-2 on Victory Road in the township, the property to which Alcatraz planned to move the Telegraph Road adult entertainment business. The township, however, would not allow plaintiffs to construct an adult entertainment business on the Victory Road property because the property was not at least 1,200 feet from a residential area. Indeed, the township has conceded that because of the footage requirements, there is no current possibility for a new establishment to locate within the C-2 district.
According to plaintiffs, after being informed of this restriction, defendant Paul Mikels, the township supervisor, informed Truckor that he should not apply for a variance on the Victory Road property because it would be denied for lack of hardship. Mikels suggested that Truckor seek an amendment to the zoning ordinance. Thus, on August 29, 2005, Truckor filed a petition to amend the zoning ordinance to change the 1,200-foot restriction to 750 feet, which he believed would enable him to construct the adult entertainment business, provided that he obtain a special use permit as required by the ordinance. The Erie Township Planning Commission held a public hearing on the petition on October 6, 2005.
On November 28, 2005, before the township reached a decision on Truckor's petition, plaintiffs filed a nine-count complaint against defendants. The crux of plaintiffs' complaint was that the ordinance violated their right to free speech by removing all channels of communication for adult entertainment businesses and by acting as a prior restraint on free speech. The complaint also contained several tort claims that were based on the invalidity of the ordinance and defendants' acts under the ordinance.
After defendants first moved for summary disposition, the trial court entered an order staying the proceedings for 90 days to allow the township to complete the decision-making process on Truckor's petition to amend the ordinance and to allow Truckor to apply for a variance. Thereafter, the Erie Township Board of Trustees denied Truckor's petition for an amendment, and the Erie Township Zoning Board of Appeals denied his application for a variance.
The trial court subsequently granted defendants' motion for summary disposition, holding that the ordinance did not violate plaintiffs' right to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Relevant to the issues on appeal, the trial court ruled that the ordinance did not unreasonably limit alternative avenues of communication:
So the — the—the only significant issue here is whether the township has provided a reasonable alternative avenue for an adult entertainment business.
The Court finds that the township is — has adequately demonstrated that there is an alternative for this expression since the plaintiffs are currently engaged in running an adult entertainment business in Erie Township, because there is in fact other land in the township in which this sort of business could at least potentially be limited — or be — be built. However, I'm — that secondary portion is not necessary for this Court ruling. Therefore, I find that they are not entitled— plaintiffs are not entitled to — to declaratory judgment or summary disposition as to a matter of law as to Counts I through IX but that the defendants are.
Plaintiffs' complaint was subsequently dismissed, and this appeal followed.
II. ANALYSIS
Plaintiffs first argue that the trial court erred in ruling that the adult entertainment ordinance was constitutional, asserting that the ordinance instead violates their right to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Specifically, plaintiffs argue that the ordinance does not leave open alternative avenues of communication and is a prior restraint on their speech.
This Court reviews de novo the trial court's decision on a motion for summary disposition. Washington v Sinai Hosp of Greater Detroit, 478 Mich 412, 417; 733 NW2d 755 (2007). When deciding a motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10), a court must consider the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, admissions, and other documentary evidence submitted in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Corley v Detroit Bd of Ed, 470 Mich 274, 278; 681 NW2d 342 (2004). A motion brought pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10) should be granted when there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Miller v Purcell, 246 Mich App 244, 246; 631 NW2d 760 (2001).
A. SUPPRESSION OF SPEECH
All ordinances are presumed to be constitutional and are construed to be so unless their unconstitutionality is clearly apparent. Shepherd Montessori Ctr Milan v Ann Arbor Charter Twp, 259 Mich App 315, 341-342; 675 NW2d 271 (2003). The foundation for this presumption is our recognition that elected officials generally act in a constitutional manner when regulating within their particular sphere of government. Maynard v Bd of Canvassers of the Kent Co First Representative Dist, 84 Mich 228, 256; 47 NW 756 (1890) (Cahill, J., dissenting). The party challenging the ordinance has the burden of rebutting the presumption that the ordinance is constitutional. STC, Inc v Dep't of Treasury, 257 Mich App 528, 539; 669 NW2d 594 (2003).
Our duty in this case is not to determine whether the activity that occurs inside Alcatraz's place of business is entitled to First Amendment protection, as that issue —whether correct or not — has been decided long ago. See Jott, Inc v Clinton Charter Twp, 224 Mich App 513, 526; 569 NW2d 841 (1997), citing Barnes v Glen Theatre, Inc, 501 US 560, 565-566; 111 S Ct 2456; 115 L Ed 2d 504 (1991), where it was noted that "[n]onobscene, erotic entertainment, such as topless dancing, is a form of protected expression under the First Amendment, but enjoys less protection than other forms of First Amendment expression, such as political speech." Additionally, "[t]he use of zoning and licensing ordinances to regulate exhibitions of 'adult entertainment' is widely recognized." Jott, supra at 526.
An ordinance that does not suppress protected forms of sexual expression, but which is designed to combat the undesirable secondary effects of businesses that purvey such activity, is to be reviewed under the standards applicable to content-neutral time, place, and manner regulations. Renton, supra at 49. " '[Cjontentneutral' time, place, and manner regulations are acceptable so long as they are designed to serve a substantial governmental interest and do not unreasonably limit alternative avenues of communication." Id. at 47. See, also, Los Angeles v Alameda Books, Inc, 535 US 425, 433-434; 122 S Ct 1728; 152 L Ed 2d 670 (2002) (opinion by O'Connor, J.).
The parties agree that the challenged ordinance is a content-neutral time, place, and manner regulation. Further, plaintiffs do not contest that the ordinance serves a substantial governmental interest and for good reason. See Young v American Mini Theatres, Inc, 427 US 50, 71; 96 S Ct 2440; 49 L Ed 2d 310 (1976) (a municipality's "interest in attempting to preserve the quality of urban life is one that must be accorded high respect").
In light of these admissions, and as noted at the outset of this opinion, the issue in dispute is whether the ordinance unreasonably limits alternative avenues of communication. This is a question of law. Fly Fish, Inc v Cocoa Beach, 337 F3d 1301, 1309 (CA 11, 2003). Toward that end, there is no minimum number of locations, or a minimum percentage of land, that an ordinance must make available for adult entertainment usage. Jott, supra at 533. Each city is obviously unique, often differing significantly from other cities in terms of its character, geography, population, and other circumstances. Id. Because each city presents its own unique set of circumstances, "each case must be decided according to its specific facts." Id., citing Christy v Ann Arbor, 824 F2d 489, 491 (CA 6, 1987), modification recognized by DLS, Inc v Chattanooga, 107 F3d 403 (CA 6, 1997) (quotation marks omitted). In considering this issue, courts look to the number of lots or buildings available in the district for these establishments, the physical size of the municipality and acreage available for these businesses, the ratio of these establishments per population in the municipality, and the market demand for opening such enterprises. See, e.g., Renton, supra at 53-54; Young, supra at 71; Jott, supra at 529-530; Executive Arts Studio, Inc v Grand Rapids, 391 F3d 783, 797-798 (CA 6, 2004).
We know from our precedents that a community cannot effectively zone out legal businesses. For example, in City of Ferndale v Ealand (On Remand), 92 Mich App 88, 90; 286 NW2d 688 (1979), the city of Ferndale enacted an ordinance allowing for the operation of adult businesses in a C-2 district so long as it was not within 1,000 feet of any residential type dwelling, but allowing for a waiver of the footage requirement under certain circumstances. At the trial held on the plaintiffs equal protection claim, a city building inspec tor testified that no location within the C-2 district met the ordinance requirements. Id. at 90-91. Relying on Young, supra, and Nortown Theatre Inc v Gribbs, 373 F Supp 363, 369-370 (ED Mich, 1974), this Court held the ordinance to be a violation of the equal protection clause because " 'the effect of the restriction is an almost total ban on uses conceded by the Defendants to be lawful.' " Ealand, supra at 93, quoting Nortown, supra at 369-370. This Court also rejected the city's argument that the waiver would provide sufficient flexibility to uphold its constitutionality. Ealand, supra at 94.
The present case would be on all fours with Ealand except for two points. First, plaintiffs have not alleged an equal protection claim. Second, and more importantly, plaintiffs are already exercising their First Amendment rights through operation of the existing business. It is the impact of this last point that in large part determines the outcome of this case.
We can initially set aside any dispute about whether we can consider the grandfathered business that Alcatraz currently operates. Though we are unaware of any Michigan authority addressing whether to include grandfathered sites in the "reasonable alternative avenues of communication" analysis, we are persuaded that the most sensible approach is to do so because the grandfathered site is still an operating business within the township. See Boss Capital, Inc v City of Casselberry, 187 F3d 1251, 1254 (CA 11, 1999), abrogated on other grounds by City of Littleton v Z J Gifts D-4, LLC, 541 US 774 (2004) (holding that it was proper to count grandfathered sites when determining whether location restrictions in an ordinance left open reasonable alternative avenues of expression for adult businesses).
And that is where plaintiffs' case under the First Amendment fails. Remember that, according to Renton, all the government must do in this type of case is "refrain from effectively denying [plaintiffs] a reasonable opportunity to open and operate an adult theatre within the [township]." Renton, supra at 54. This is because, at its core, the First Amendment prevents the government from suppressing speech, see Turner Broadcasting Sys, Inc v FCC, 512 US 622, 641-642; 114 S Ct 2445; 129 L Ed 2d 497 (1994); Texas v Johnson, 491 US 397, 403; 109 S Ct 2533; 105 L Ed 2d 342 (1989), and once it is shown that the plaintiffs' rights to engage in the protected speech are not infringed, there can be no First Amendment violation. The First Amendment is not violated when the government allows the protected speech to occur, even if not in the desired locale. Renton, supra at 52.
Consequently, courts have repeatedly rejected First Amendment claims in cases like the instant one, where the new zoning ordinance does not reduce the number of adult businesses that operated previous to enactment of the ordinance. See, e.g., Fly Fish, Inc, supra at 1310, where the court held that "[b]y guaranteeing that the number of sites available under a new zoning ordinance is not less than the existing sites, the ordinance does not suppress speech, but merely relocates it, as allowed by Renton." See, also, Lakeland Lounge of Jackson, Inc v City of Jackson, 973 F2d 1255, 1260 (CA 5, 1992). In a similar vein, one federal district court has recognized that an ordinance does not suppress speech when the plaintiff establishment is currently operating under those regulations. Sands North, Inc v Anchorage, 537 F Supp 2d 1032, 1040 (D Alas, 2007).
In light of these decisions and the undisputed fact that plaintiffs have not been prevented from operating their adult business in the township and are grandfathered in under the new ordinance, we hold that plaintiffs cannot maintain a cause of action under the First Amendment. It is simply impossible to show that the government (the township) has unlawfully suppressed plaintiffs' speech while the business still operates within the township borders. Id. Absent evidence of even a threat to prevent this business operation, plaintiffs' claim can only be premised on the location of the operations, and caselaw is clear that the township can reasonably regulate the location of such enterprises.
Even if we had to go further and decide whether the one adult entertainment business already in the township provides a reasonable alternative avenue for protected expression, we would hold that it does. Based on the record presented to the trial court, we know that (1) the township is largely rural and sparsely populated, (2) plaintiffs already operate the one adult entertainment establishment in the township (and in fact, the entire county), (3) based on the township population, there is a 4,850:1 ratio of people to adult entertainment establishments in the township, and (4) there is no other establishment seeking to operate within the township.
Caselaw developed after Renton has concluded that a municipality cannot totally ban adult uses or fail to provide reasonable sites for relocation that are at least sufficient to enable the current adult businesses to remain in business. See DI MA Corp v City of St Cloud, 562 NW2d 312, 321-322 (Minn App, 1997). In order to determine whether there is a sufficient number of available sites, courts look to the number of sites compared with the number of adult businesses currently in existence, or that are seeking to open such a business. Diamond v City of Taft, 215 F3d 1052, 1057 (CA 9, 2000).
Here, the evidence shows that Alcatraz is the only adult business establishment that has ever operated in Erie Township, or that is even seeking to operate in Erie Township. The evidence also shows an acceptable business-population ratio of one business for every 4,850 people. See Executive Arts Studio, Inc v Grand Rapids, 227 F Supp 2d 731, 754 (WD Mich, 2002), aff'd 391 F3d 783 (CA 6, 2004); Univ Books & Videos, Inc v Miami-Dade Co, 132 F Supp 2d 1008, 1015 (SD Fla, 2001). There is simply no dispute that under the ordinance and the township's decision to grandfather in plaintiffs' current operations, plaintiffs are fully engaged in their protected speech.
Additionally, it is undisputed that the ordinance does not facially zone out all adult businesses, for it allows the preexisting establishment to operate outside the C-2 district. And as noted, the township has a substantial interest in curtailing the secondary effects of the adult orientated business. For these reasons, we hold that the ordinance does not violate these plaintiffs' rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the First Amendment. See Casanova Entertainment Group, Inc v City of New Rochelle, 375 F Supp 2d 321, 341-342 (SD NY, 2005).
B. PRIOR RESTRAINT
Plaintiffs also maintain a facial attack through which they argue that the ordinance constitutes an unconstitutional prior restraint on speech because it lacks procedural safeguards. The term "prior restraint" is used to describe an administrative or judicial order that forbids certain communications in advance of the time that the communications are to occur, Van Buren Twp v Garter Belt, Inc, 258 Mich App 594, 623; 673 NW2d 111 (2003), and is likewise based upon the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Plaintiffs argue that under Freedman v Maryland, 380 US 51; 85 S Ct 734; 13 L Ed 2d 649 (1965), and FW/PBS, Inc v City of Dallas, 493 US 215; 110 S Ct 596; 107 L Ed 2d 603 (1990), overruled in part by Littleton, supra at 781, the special use permit ordinance constitutes an unlawful prior restraint on speech because it gives both unbridled discretion to the decision maker and places no limitations on when any administrative decision must be made.
It is certainly true that FW/PBS, in applying two of the three parts of the Freedman test, held that licensing decisions regarding adult establishments must have strict time limits for municipal decisions to avoid any First Amendment free speech infirmities. FW/PBS, supra at 226-227. However, since Thomas v Chicago Park Dist, 534 US 316, 322-323; 122 S Ct 775; 151 L Ed 2d 783 (2002), numerous courts have held that content- neutral ordinances are not subject to Freedman's administrative time limit requirements. For example, in Solantic, LLC v City of Neptune Beach, 410 F3d 1250, 1270 (CA 11, 2005), the court held that "[wjhether a licensing ordinance — which constitutes a prior restraint on speech — must contain a time limit within which to make licensing decisions depends on whether the ordinance is content based or content neutral." See, also, Covenant Media of South Carolina, LLC v North Charleston, 493 F3d 421, 431-432 (CA 4, 2007).
Assuming the validity of these cases, the issue is whether the ordinance is content based or content neutral. If it is a content-based ordinance, then the time limit requirements under Freedman and FW/PBS apply; if the ordinance is not content based, i.e. it is content neutral, then the time limit requirements do not apply. Id. In this case, because plaintiffs have admitted that the ordinance is content neutral, the holdings of Freedman and FW/PBS are not applicable. Therefore, plaintiffs' prior restraint argument under the First Amendment free speech clause is without merit under this line of cases.
In any event, even applying Freedman reveals that the special permit provision is not an unconstitutional prior restraint that bestows unbridled discretion on decision makers. The provision sets out a detailed procedure that the Planning Commission and Township Board must follow when they receive and rule on a special use application. The provision also sets out nine standards that must be met, or else the permit "shall be denied." Additionally, for each step of the decision-making process, the Planning Commission and/or Township Board are directed to review the application for a specific purpose, then the application passes to the next stage of the process (e.g., "the Planning Commission shall review the application . for completeness," then "the Planning Commission shall publish a notice of public hearing," then "the Planning Commission shall recommend approval, denial, or approval with conditions," then "[u]pon review of the special land use application, all supporting materials, public hearing comments, and the recommendations of the Planning Commission, the Township Board shall deny, approve, or approve with conditions" the application). Additionally, the ordinance contains specific time frames for deciding completed applications, including separate time frames if a public hearing is required. Therefore, the process does not allow unbridled discretion in the handling of an application, and the ordinance does not constitute an unlawful prior restraint on speech.
C. TORT CLAIMS
Finally, plaintiffs argue that the trial court erred in dismissing their claims of interference with business relationships, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and for punitive damages. We disagree.
All of the claims in plaintiffs' complaint derive from the alleged unconstitutionality of the ordinance. Indeed, plaintiffs acknowledge that they are entitled to reversal only "[i]f the Ordinance is found to be unconstitutional ." However, we have held that the ordinance is constitutional. Consequently, plaintiffs can sustain none of their claims, and no amount of discovery would change this fact. Accordingly, because the ordinance is constitutional, we affirm the trial court's dismissal of plaintiffs' complaint.
Affirmed.
K. F. Kelly, J., concurred.
The individual defendants are involved in the Erie Township government, holding positions such as township trustee, township planning commission member, township supervisor, township clerk, township treasurer, and township attorney.
The record is not entirely clear as to whether plaintiffs want to move the current establishment or desire to operate a second adult entertainment business on Victory Road. At oral argument before this Court, however, plaintiffs' counsel represented to the Court that plaintiffs wanted to relocate the current business to the Victory Road location.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides as follows:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The "free speech" clause of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 is contained in art 1, § 5, and provides:
Every person may freely speak, write, express and publish his views on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right; and no law shall be enacted to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press.
The Michigan and United States constitutions' free speech clauses "are coterminous." In re Contempt of Dudzinski, 257 Mich App 96, 100; 667 NW2d 68 (2003). Thus, both the United States Supreme Court and our Court have recognized that nude dancing is not inherently expressive conduct and falls only "within the outer ambit of the First Amendment's protection." City of Erie v Pap's A M, 529 US 277, 289; 120 SCt 1382; 146 L Ed 2d 265 (2000) (opinion by O'Connor, J.). Accord Jott, Inc v Clinton Charter Twp, 224 Mich App 513, 526; 569 NW2d 841 (1997).
For a thorough discussion of the federal caselaw in this area, see Pack Shack, Inc v Howard Co, 377 Md 55, 80-84; 832 A2d 170 (2003).
We disagree with our esteemed dissenting colleague for three reasons. First, as we read plaintiffs' complaint and brief on appeal, the only facial challenge is relative to the prior restraint issue. Second, that Erie Township is similar in size to Clinton Township tells us nothing about the characteristics of these two townships that are located many miles apart and located in different geographical regions of the state (southeast border of state and northeast of Detroit). Third, and in relation to our second point, we believe it is critical that the record shows that not one other adult business has sought to operate in the township and plaintiffs continue to operate their establishment under the ordinance.
Erie Township is a largely rural community with a population of just under 5,000 people.
Whether the ordinance effectively precludes another establishment opening up within the C-2 district is not necessary to decide, as the facts established in this case reveal that the township has not suppressed plaintiffs' speech.
For their part, defendants only argued below that plaintiffs' prior restraint argument should not be considered by the court if it finds that the space regulations do not violate the First Amendment. But, as this opinion makes clear, the "time, place and manner" argument is separate from a prior restraint argument based on the unbridled discretion given to a local decision maker. See Thomas v Chicago Park Dist, 534 US 316, 323-324; 122 S Ct 775; 151 L Ed 2d 783 (2002).
Plaintiffs' reliance on a passage from 11126 Baltimore Blvd, Inc v Prince George's Co, 58 F3d 988, 995 (CA 4, 1995), is misplaced, as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has subsequently stated that that particular passage is no longer good law after Thomas. Covenant Media, supra at 432 n 7.
The trial court did not rely on inadmissible evidence in granting defendants' motion for summary disposition. First, plaintiffs present no evidence that the challenged facts are false or that the challenged exhibits are inauthentic. Second, and more importantly, even if the evidence were inadmissible, this would not have changed the trial court's ultimate decision on the constitutionality of the ordinance. The trial court expressly stated that its decision was not based on the challenged evidence. Likewise, our conclusion concerning the constitutionality of the ordinance is not based on the challenged evidence, and a consideration of that evidence is unnecessary to resolve the issues on appeal.