Opinion ID: 2013455
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Frankes

Text: ¶ 47. The Frankes frame the issue in this case in terms of maintaining the stop sign and argue that they are not liable for failing to abate the public nuisance because (1) the municipalities, not the homeowners, have a non-delegable duty to maintain the stop sign; and (2) public policy considerations recognized in Walker and Miller preclude their liability. [32] Before addressing these arguments, however, we note a significant fact: the offending tree is located on Frankes' land. As it was their tree, the Frankes' had control over it, which was demonstrated by the fact that they trimmed the tree branches on the side of the tree facing their residence. The Frankes' control over the tree is also noted by the fact that Donald Franke joined in trimming the tree branches the day after the accident. [33] ¶ 48. The Frankes first argue that they are relieved of liability because the municipalities, not the landowner, have a non-delegable duty to maintain the stop sign. In making this argument, the Frankes erroneously restrict the scope of this case to the stop sign, rather than the relationship between the stop sign and the offending tree branches. We reject the Frankes' argument because we are not concluding that the Frankes' are liable for failing to maintain a stop sign. We reiterate that they are liable for failing to abate a public nuisance, if found to be causal of the injuries. Their liability is based on their failure to trim the branches of their tree, which they knew, or should have known, to be obstructing the view of a stop sign and thus, resulting in a hazardous condition. We agree with the court of appeals' statement: We emphasize again that the liability of the Frankes on the present facts is in no way premised on their failure to maintain the `streets, highways, and related signage' adjacent to their home, but on their failure to eliminate a safety hazard created by a tree growing in their yard. Physicians Plus, 2001 WI App 148, ¶ 19. We will not discuss the specific duties of municipalities here because we specifically address those duties in Section VIII. B. and VIII. C., as they relate to Dodge County and the Town of Leroy. We note, however, that a municipality's non-delegable duty is not necessarily an exclusive duty. See First Nat'l Bank & Trust Co. of Racine v. S.C. Johnson & Sons, Inc., 264 Wis. 404, 409, 59 N.W.2d 445 (1953) (property owner and city both liable for injuries caused by broken curbstone); Holl v. City of Merrill, 251 Wis. 203, 209, 28 N.W.2d 363 (1947) (city and adjoining landowner both liable for creating or maintaining a nuisance regarding sidewalk repair). The Frankes' argument that a municipality's non-delegable duty to maintain the stop sign relieves them of liability for failing to trim the tree branches, therefore fails. [34] ¶ 49. The Frankes' also argue that they should be relieved of liability based on general public policy grounds set forth in our case law. Relying on the public policy exclusion from liability stated in Walker, 100 Wis. 2d at 265, and this court's acknowledgement of six public policy considerations; see Miller, 219 Wis. 2d at 264-265, the Frankes contend that imposing liability here (1) would be an imposition of liability and expense out of proportion to the liability of the motoring public and municipalities; (2) would place an unreasonable burden (patrol and decide what to cut or what crops not to plant) on landowners; and (3) will cause liability to enter a field where there is no sensible or just stopping point. ¶ 50. We first reject the Frankes' argument that Walker applies because the public policy exclusion in that case related to municipalities and eliminating visual obstructions at areas adjacent to every highway intersection. 100 Wis. 2d at 266. We conclude that Walker does not relieve the Frankes of liability because that case related to municipal liability rather than that of private landowners. See Beacon Bowl v. Wis. Elec. Power Co., 176 Wis. 2d 740, 764, 501 N.W.2d 788 (1993). Furthermore, as we discuss in Section VIII B., the Walker public policy holding does not apply to an obstructed view of a stop sign. ¶ 51. We also reject the Frankes' other public policy arguments by noting the limited scope of this decision. We reiterate that the Frankes' liability is not based on their failure to maintain the highway, a stop sign, or a general area of visibility. Rather, their responsibility is based solely on their failure to trim the branches of their tree, which they knew, or should have known to be obstructing the view of a stop signtheir failure to abate the public nuisance. Because responsibility is strictly based on the facts of this case, we disagree with the Frankes' conclusions that there is no sensible or just stopping point. ¶ 52. We also disagree with the Frankes' argument that liability places an unreasonable burden on the landowner. The burden is to trim one's own tree when one knows, or should know, that it is creating a hazardous condition. We do not find this unreasonable. Furthermore, we reject the Frankes' arguments that their liability is out of proportion to the liability of the motoring public and municipalities. As we discuss below, the municipalities in this case are also liable for maintaining a public nuisance. The proportion of each defendant's liability, however, is an issue of causation, and of comparison, which we previously concluded is not appropriate for summary judgment. We, therefore, reject their final public policy argument and affirm the court of appeals' holding that the Frankes had a duty to abate the public nuisance, and, if causal, are liable for failing to do so.