Court Opinion

ID: 9700093
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 21:09:56.333953+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:04.036844
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion by
Me. Justice Bell:
I dissent. The deed for premises 407 West Fourth Street contained the following restriction: “Subject, nevertheless, to the following express terms and conditions, to wit, That he, the said N. Burrows Bubb, his heirs and assigns shall . . . not build or permit to be built upon the lot first above described (407 West Fourth Street), any barn or stable and shall . . . not build or permit to be built or extended any dwelling *545house nearer to West Fourth Street* than the dwelling house thereon now is.”
In my judgment, this was a twofold restriction, (1) a restriction limiting the property solely to a dwelling house, and (2) a restriction for light and air on West Fourth Street. In these days everyone knows and zoning authorities and planning commissions emphasize the wisdom and necessity for light and air. Plaintiff, or his predecessors in title, have enjoyed the light and air, which is so important for health and comfort, since 1892. Because business has invaded the neighborhood and West Fourth Street in this block is no longer “millionaires’ row”, is not and should not be sufficient to obliterate this light and air restriction which is still of substantial health value to the dominant tenement. Landell v. Hamilton, 175 Pa. 327, 34 A. 663; Katzman v. Anderson, 359 Pa. 280, 59 A. 2d 85.
In Katzman v. Anderson, supra, the Court said (pages 284-285) : “. . . Notwithstanding that there may have occurred changes in the character and use of lands and buildings in the neighborhood, equity will restrain a violation of a building restriction if its enforcement remains of substantial value to the dominant tenement: Landell v. Hamilton, 175 Pa. 327, 337, 34 A. 663, 666; Hohl v. Modell, 264 Pa. 516, 519, 107 A. 885, 886; Phillips v. Donaldson, 269 Pa. 244, 250, 251, 112 A. 236, 239; Hunter v. Wood, 277 Pa. 150, 152, 120 A. 781, 782; Benner v. Tacony Athletic Association, 328 Pa. 577, 581, 196 A. 390, 392, 393; Todd v. Sablosky, 339 Pa. 504, 508, 15 A. 2d 677, 679; Price v. Anderson, 358 Pa. 209, 219, 56 A. 2d 215, 220.”
The tiny sign “tourists” on plaintiff’s property which the Judge saw, but which was not a part of the record, would certainly not be sufficient to invalidate *546plaintiff’s right to equitable relief to protect her right to light and air.
I would reverse the decree of the Court below, and impose the costs on defendants.

 Italics throughout, ours.