Civil SuitGeneral legal issues

Michigan Condo Loses Battle to Block New Fire Station

The Michigan Supreme Court has denied an attempt by a condo association to block the construction of a new fire station. The Autumn Park Condominium Association was seeking to prevent the Meridian Charter Township from building a new 10,700-square-foot fire station near their condo complex. The association was apparently concerned that the fire station would adversely affect their quality of life and diminish the value of their property.

Last October, the Michigan Court of Appeals declined to hear the association’s appeal concluding their case lacked “merit in the grounds presented.” On Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court agreed issuing a terse one sentence ruling stating: “On order of the Court, the application for leave to appeal the October 14, 2014 order of the Court of Appeals is considered, and it is DENIED, because we are not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed by this Court.”

According to Township Manager Frank Walsh, construction of the new station will proceed as planned.

Here is a copy of the Michigan SC’s ruling: Autumn Park Condo v Meridian

More on the story.

Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 50 years of fire service experience and 40 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. Besides his law degree, he has a MS in Forensic Psychology. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.

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2 Comments

  1. “The association was apparently concerned that the fire station would adversely affect their quality of life and diminish the value of their property.” Uh-huh. Until the cheap-ass lightweight construction chicken coops caught fire. Then, they’de be suing cause the firehouse was nine blocks away, and in the extra two minutes, the entire complex was destroyed.
    Kinda like the guy who bought a house at the end of the runway for Tweed-New Haven Airport… then sued because of the noise of the planes taking off and landing.

  2. No one wants the firemen around until they need the firemen around. Good on the court for their terse one liner.

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