Court Opinion

ID: 9546138
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 17:25:26.432666+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:16:02.559956
License: Public Domain

HUNTLEY, Justice,
dissenting.
I must respectfully dissent from the majority opinion. A city has broad powers to adopt ordinances which promote the public health, safety and welfare. The Idaho Falls ordinance concerning sidewalk obstruction is a valid application of that power as long as the ordinance is constitutionally applied. However, if Idaho Falls improperly discriminated against appellant in applying the ordinance, the city denied appellant equal protection of the laws in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Milnot Co. v. Arkansas State Board of Health, 388 F.Supp. 901, 905 (1975).
*510I believe there is a material issue of fact as to whether Idaho Falls improperly discriminated against appellant. It is acknowledged that the city permits other types of vending on its sidewalks such as newspaper vending machines and telephone booths, and nothing in the record establishes that appellant’s hot dog stand is any more of an obstruction than the other types of sidewalk vending regularly permitted by the city. In fact, the record shows that the city began issuing citations to appellant because the chief of police received complaints from local restaurant owners who did not appreciate the competition. There was no complaint that traffic was obstructed. These facts are sufficient to raise a material issue of fact as to whether appellant’s civil rights were violated under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Therefore, summary judgment was not appropriate. Anderson v. Ethington, 103 Idaho 658, 660, 651 P.2d 923 (1982).
It may be appropriate for Idaho Falls to pass an ordinance prohibiting all sidewalk vending or even prohibiting mobile hot dog stands. However, it is not appropriate for the city to implement such a policy by selectively and improperly applying its ordinances. I would reverse and remand for trial.