Opinion ID: 849272
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Facts and Procedural History of the Present Case

Text: Plaintiffs own section 12, township 57 north, range 33 west, in Allouez Township, Keweenaw County, Michigan. Defendants own a neighboring parcel, section 13. Section 12 is landlocked, although it can be accessed by foot trails. Plaintiff Glen Tolksdorf acquired section 12 in March of 1992, intending to develop the property and sell it as lots. He attempted without success to acquire an easement from surrounding property owners in order to achieve a paved vehicular connection from his property to a roadway. Those who purchased lots from Tolksdorf are also plaintiffs in this case. In addition to seeking a road across section 13, they seek an easement for utility lines. In the past, defendants have allowed members of the general public to use the trails on section 13 to access section 12 for recreational purposes. They have also permitted loggers to cross their property. However, they object to the installation of a paved road and utility lines. Plaintiffs sued, naming as defendants the section 13 property owners as well as Gerald Dahlgren, Allouez Township supervisor, who had refused to commence proceedings to open a private road. In their complaint, plaintiffs sought a determination that they had acquired an easement by prescription. [2] The trial court ruled against them. It also denied their request for a writ of mandamus that would compel Dahlgren to proceed under the private roads act. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision concerning the easement issue. However, it found error in the refusal to issue a writ. It remanded the case, with instructions to direct Dahlgren to commence proceedings to open a private road pursuant to the act. We granted leave limited to the question whether the private roads act is constitutional. 461 Mich. 1014, 611 N.W.2d 797 (2000). The issue whether plaintiffs acquired an easement in section 13 is not before us.