Opinion ID: 1996721
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the one-year provision of the city's ordinance as to abandonment

Text: The desirability of zoning, as a matter of public policy, is clearly recognized. In the furtherance of zoning, it is also clearly recognized that it is desirable to eliminate nonconforming uses. Various provisions in zoning ordinances have been used to further this objective and their validity has been established. [2] Art IV, § 4.17(a) of the City of Warren zoning ordinance adopted in 1960 provides: Failure to continue to use any land, building or structure, or part thereof, which use is a nonconforming use under this Ordinance, for a period of one (1) year or more shall be held to be conclusive proof of an intention to legally abandon any such non-conforming use. The ordinance provides an objective test of the subjective question of intent. However, the provision that the proof shall be conclusive cannot be sustained. Rules of evidence are for the determination of the courts. The courts may accept and follow a legislative enactment of a rule of evidence but they are not obliged to do so. See Perin v Peuler, 373 Mich 531, 540-543 (1964). This ordinance has the effect of shifting the burden of proof as to abandonment after a one-year period of nonuse and to this extent it is an acceptable and desirable rule of evidence. It balances the continuation of the nonconforming use of an owner of property against the desirability to the public generally of eliminating such a use. It affords a reasonable means of determining the existence of such a use or of its abandonment. Consequently, in future cases, in addition to the usual proofs of abandonment or non-abandonment, proof that a nonconforming use has not been utilized for a period of one year shall constitute prima facie proof of its abandonment.