Opinion ID: 2013455
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: existence of a public nuisance

Text: [22] ¶ 33. We now turn to the record to determine whether the tree branches obstructing the view of the stop sign resulted in a public nuisance as a matter of law. [29] Based on the definition of public nuisance from State v. Quality Egg Farm, Inc., 104 Wis. 2d 506, 517, 311 N.W.2d 650 (1981), and State v. Michels Pipeline Construction, Inc., 63 Wis. 2d 278, 286-287, 217 N.W.2d 339 (1974), we conclude that the tree branches obstructing the view of the stop sign resulted in a condition that substantially or unduly interfered with the use of a public place or with the activities of an entire community. See Schiro, 272 Wis. at 546. Our inquiry focuses on two questions: (1) whether there are any disputed issues of material fact to preclude a summary judgment determination that the condition of the tree branches in relation to the stop sign amounted to a public nuisance, and (2) if not, whether there are any disputed issues of material fact regarding whether the defendants had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition. We agree with the circuit court and the court of appeals, that there are no genuine issues of material fact on these matters. [23] ¶ 34. Based on our review of the photographs and videotape in the record, we conclude that the stop sign was largely, if not completely, obscured from the view of drivers approaching the intersection in the direction Diane Smith was traveling. Physicians Plus, 2001 WI App 148, ¶ 47. The obstruction of the view of the stop sign is evident in the record. The photographs and the videotape are convincing because they show the tree and the stop sign in the condition they were in on the afternoon of the accident, from the same vantage point as that of Diane Smith; and the second photo also shows the tree and the stop sign at a later date, after the tree was trimmed. ¶ 35. We further conclude that none of the defendants submitted evidence to dispute our conclusion reached upon review of the photographs and videotape. Neither Dodge County nor the Town of Leroy point to evidence contrary to the photos and videotape. The Frankes, however, oppose summary judgment by arguing that the photos are not reliable because wind and shade may have altered the visibility, and that their deposition testimony disputes whether the tree branches actually obscured the stop sign. We reject both arguments. As the court of appeals concluded, the Frankes' first argument is mere conjecture and does not satisfy the nonmoving party's obligation to oppose summary judgment by advancing specific facts showing the presence of a genuine material dispute. See Physicians Plus, 2001 WI App 148, ¶ 48; see also Baxter, 165 Wis. 2d at 312 (nonmovant must demonstrate more than a mere existence of an alleged factual dispute). [24] ¶ 36. With regard to the second argument, the Frankes contend that the circuit court improperly acted as a fact-finder in concluding that their deposition testimony did not raise any genuine issue of material fact. The Frankes' argue that their testimony indicated that the sign was only partially blocked. The Frankes' further rely on testimony of their neighbor, a Town of Leroy supervisor, stating that he never had trouble seeing the stop sign, although he knew it was there. We conclude, as the circuit court and court of appeals did, that the Frankes' evidence does not create a genuine material factual dispute that the stop sign was significantly obstructed from the view of a driver coming from the west on Ledge Road. Testimony from the Frankes and their neighbor, all persons familiar with the intersection, is not credible evidence sufficient to place in dispute the fact that the tree branches obscuring the view of the stop sign resulted in a public nuisance. Furthermore, we rely on the photographic evidence because where physical evidence is in conflict with oral testimony, the physical evidence must control. Chart v. General Motors Corp., 80 Wis. 2d 91, 111, 258 N.W.2d 680 (1977); State v. Lucynski, 48 Wis. 2d 232, 238, 179 N.W.2d 889 (1970); see also Whitefish Bay v. Hardtke, 40 Wis. 2d 150, 153, 161 N.W.2d 259 (1968) (Physical evidence may not only contradict oral testimony but, if irrefutable and unquestionable, it may render testimony incredible.). Accordingly, based on the undisputed photographic evidence, we conclude that the tree branches obstructing the view of the stop sign constituted a public nuisance as a matter of law.