Village of Franklin v. City of Southfield

Plaintiffs, Village of Franklin and Lilyan Victor, appeal as of right from the circuit court’s award of summary judgment in favor of defendants and subsequent denial of plaintiffs’ motion for rehearing.

In March, 1978, the Southfield City Council approved a site plan for a proposed residential and commercial development called Park LaSalle and authorized the issuance of building permits. Plaintiffs appealed to the Southfield Board of Zoning Appeals, challenging the approval. The board, acting on the advice of the city attorney that it lacked jurisdiction, refused to hear the appeal. Plaintiffs…