Opinion ID: 2103541
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Mayoral Discretion Under Section 20-17-903

Text: For his final argument, Brock contends that, due to the Health Department's recommended approval of his permit application, Townsell is without discretion to refuse the permit under Assembly of God Church, Lambert v. Ford, supra . In that case, this court affirmed the circuit court's ruling ordering a county judge to issue a permit in accordance with the predecessor to section 20-17-903. 255 Ark. at 133-34, 499 S.W.2d at 273-74. We held that the county judge ha[d] no discretion under the statute to refuse a permit once the State Health Department ha[d] given its approval. Id. at 134, 499 S.W.2d at 274. We decline to address this argument, because a holding on this point would not affect the outcome of the instant appeal. As we have indicated, the authority of the Department of Health under section 20-17-903 is subject to the land-use ordinances enacted pursuant to section 14-56-416. The Conway City Council, in accordance with Ordinance 0-94-54, has declined to grant Brock a conditional-use permit for the construction of a cemetery on his property. Brock has failed to appeal that decision to the circuit court. Therefore, even if Townsell had no discretion under section 20-17-903 to refuse a permit once the Health Department gave its approval, such a permit would still be subject to Conway's zoning ordinances. Thus, regardless of the outcome under section 20-17-903, the Conway City Council's denial of Brock's request for a conditional-use permit precludes the establishment of a cemetery on his property. For the reasons stated above, we affirm the circuit court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Townsell. Affirmed.