Opinion ID: 1179553
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: other actions of city officials

Text: Mayor Uhlman directed the Superintendent of Buildings to establish a system for notice to the Capitol Hill Community Council, Capitol Hill Land Use Review Board and Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce of applications for any demolition permits in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle. While this may have been favoritism, the Mayor, an elected official, was responding to a legitimate request from his constituents. Furthermore he was facilitating the cooperation of various city departments to assist the Department of Community Development in the neighborhood planning effort. Finally, this action was done prior to any action on the part of Parkridge to pursue a demolition permit. Clerk's Papers, at 147-48. Can the democratic action of the Mayor, before Parkridge has made known its business expectancy, be tortious interference? Obviously not. The superintendent, besides requiring environmental assessment information before issuing any permits, canceled plaintiff's permit based on the downzone action taken by the City Council. This action was not improper. At the time this action was taken, the superintendent did not know the downzoning was arbitrary and capricious. Therefore, when he denied the plaintiff's permit, he did so because it did not comport with the present zoning laws. The superintendent did not have the benefit of subsequent court decisions which held that the plaintiff had a vested right in the prior zoning. Councilman Miller met with members of the Capitol Hill Community Council and Capitol Hill Land Use Review Board prior to 1974 to discuss land use matters affecting the Capitol Hill area. At this meeting he suggested that the group seek downzoning of certain areas. Clerk's Papers, at 147. Does a general suggestion of a public official to concerned community members constitute tortious interference? Public officials are entitled to a presumption that they have regularly and faithfully performed their duties. 29 Am.Jur.2d Evidence § 171 (1967). Furthermore, it should be permissible and proper for local governments to consider public sentiment in land use decisions, Anderson v. Peden, 30 Or. App. 1063, 1073, 569 P.2d 633, 640 (1977). [L]and-use administration at the local level is fundamentally a political process.... In our system and tradition, political process means democratic process. The Mayor, Councilman, and Superintendent of Buildings did not flagrantly abuse their power. These officials were carrying out their respective roles as conscientious public servants in governing their city. In sum, it is not a tort for government to govern in a democratic fashion. Even if the actions of the City can be considered improper there is no proximate cause between the City's actions and Parkridge's damages as conceded by the majority and for the additional reasons set forth below.