Court Opinion

ID: 9723375
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 10:12:52.232673+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:47.871786
License: Public Domain

Fitzgerald, J.
(dissenting). I view the action of *449the majority in overruling Sabo v Monroe Twp, 394 Mich 531; 232 NW2d 584 (1975); Nickola v Grand Blanc Twp, 394 Mich 589; 232 NW2d 604 (1975), and Smookler v Wheatfield Twp, 394 Mich 574; 232 NW2d 616 (1975), as precipitous and ill-advised in light of the short passage of time since these cases were declared to be the view of this Court on zoning changes.
In this overruling action, the concern and counsel of Mr. Justice Stewart comes to mind as he wrote, dissenting, in Mitchell v W T Grant Co, 416 US 600, 634-636; 94 S Ct 1895; 40 L Ed 2d 406 (1974):
"I would add, however, a word of concern. It seems to me that unless we respect the constitutional decisions of this Court, we can hardly expect that others will do so. Cf. Roofing Wholesale Co v Palmer, 108 Ariz 508, 502 P2d 1327 (1972). A substantial departure from precedent can only be justified, I had thought, in the light of experience with the application of the rule to be abandoned or in the light of an altered historic environment. Yet the Court today has unmistakably overruled a considered decision of this Court that is barely two years old, without pointing to any change in either societal perceptions or basic constitutional understandings that might justify this total disregard of stare decisis.
"A basic change in the law upon a ground no firmer than a change in our membership invites the popular misconception that this institution is little different from the two political branches of the Government. No misconception could do more lasting injury to this Court and to the system of law which it is our abiding mission to serve.”
I would have considered this case in light of the cases today overruled.
Kavanagh, C. J., concurred with Fitzgerald, J.