Paul Johnson v. City of Canton, Mississippi

MAXWELL, J.,

for the Court:

¶ 1. Paul Johnson appeals the grant of summary judgment in favor of the City of Canton, Mississippi; its Board of Aider-men; and its Zoning Commission. Disappointed that the Board denied his request for a special exemption to build a house on what the Zoning Commission deemed ■ a noncompliant, landlocked lot, Johnson filed a “section 1983” suit in the Madison County Circuit Court. He alleged the City, through its Board and Zoning Commission, violated his equal-protection and due-process rights by making a racially discriminatory and arbitrary and capricious decision.…