Mapleview Estates, Inc v. City of Brown City

Defendant Brown City appeals as of right a grant of summary disposition in favor of plaintiff Mapleview Estates, Inc. We reverse and remand for entry of summary disposition in favor of defendant.

Plaintiff, the developer of a manufactured housing community, sued after defendant raised the fees for connecting new homes to its central water supply and sewer systems. Plaintiff argued that the fee was actually a disguised tax and, under the Headlee Amendment, Const 1963, art 9, § 31, should have been submitted to a popular vote. The trial court agreed and granted plaintiffs motion for summary…