Opinion ID: 2105637
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Should all or some part of the improvement be borne by general taxation because of parking meter revenues?

Text: N.J.S.A. 40:56-1.1 authorizes the acquisition and construction of parking facilities as a local improvement. The decision of whether a particular improvement should be undertaken as a general or local one rests within the sound discretion of the municipality. Hoglund v. City of Summit, 28 N.J. 540 (1959); Leggett v. Plainfield, 97 N.J.L. 341 (E. & A. 1921). That discretion will not be upset in the absence of fraud or palpable abuse of discretion.    The decision, if there be any reasonable basis to support it, is conclusive. Hoglund, supra, at p. 552. Plaintiffs do not argue that the municipal decision to provide the accommodations as a local improvement was motivated by fraud nor that it evidenced a palpable abuse of discretion. Nor do we see under the facts here present how such an argument could be successfully urged. The subsequent installation of parking meters has no bearing upon whether the benefit of the improvement is primarily special and local or general. The fact remains that the facilities were built in response to a request of local businessmen who emphasized the benefits they anticipated they would receive therefrom. There can be no doubt that plaintiffs' lands increased in value to some extent as a result of the construction. Plaintiffs conceded at trial that the installation of parking meters per se would not invalidate the assessment. They further conceded that even if revenues exceeded maintenance expenses, the assessment would not be invalid. They asserted that the sole evil resulting from the use of parking meters was defendant's failure to segregate the revenue therefrom and prohibit its use for purposes other than maintenance. This is not a problem contemplated by or involved in this litigation and is therefore not before us. Remanded for reassessment in accordance with the above. For remandment  Chief Justice WEINTRAUB and Justices JACOBS, FRANCIS, PROCTOR, HALL, SCHETTINO and HANEMAN  7. Opposed  NONE.