Court Opinion

ID: 9735954
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 18:37:45.930625+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:27:03.049342
License: Public Domain

CRUMLISH, Jr., Senior Judge,
concurring.
I concur in the majority’s decision and order, including its reversal of the trial court's order dismissing the Stoners’ mandamus actions.
However, I write separately to emphasize what the majority recognizes, majority, pp. 268-270, as the township’s reasonable position. That is, mandamus should not expose *275township officials to damages when those officials incorrectly interpret a zoning order and deny a subdivision application.
Mandamus lies to compel the performance of ministerial acts, which admit of no judgment or discretion. Lhormer v. Bowen, 410 Pa. 508, 188 A.2d 747 (1963). It is appropriate to compel the issuance of a permit where “the issuance thereof is no more than a ministerial act.” Id., 410 Pa. at 514, 188 A.2d at 749-750.
The township’s deliberations on the merits of the subdivision application exceed the scope of mere ministerial acts. Those deliberations require the exercise of some judgment, no matter how misguided or erroneous.
Mandamus should issue to compel action when a municipal officer or body fails to act, “not to direct the exercise of judgment or discretion in a particular way.” Pennsylvania Dental Association v. Pennsylvania Insurance Department, 512 Pa. 217, 228, 516 A.2d 647, 652 (1987) (emphasis added).
Having pled mandamus, the Stoners should be permitted to prove their averments, and thus establish their right to that remedy, since it is no doubt available under Lindy Homes. Thus, the township’s preliminary objections as to the mandamus counts should not have been granted.
However, it is for the trial court, not this Court, to inquire into whether the application clearly complies with the ordinance and to pass on the merits of the Township’s reasons for rejecting the Stoners’ application.
Accordingly, I would, in reversing the trial court’s ruling on the preliminary objections, simply reinstate the mandamus counts.