Thompson v. Enz
Michigan Supreme Court
379 Mich. 667, 154 N.W.2d 473 (1967)
- Written by Penny Ellison, JD
Facts
A land-development corporation (defendant) purchased a riparian parcel of land on Gun Lake, a lake primarily used for recreation. The corporation subdivided the large parcel into lots, only 16 of which directly bordered the lake. The corporation proposed to give access to the lake to the remaining back lots by virtue of a canal the corporation would construct. Other riparian landowners (plaintiffs) on the lake sued to enjoin the proposed subdivision and the digging of the canal, claiming that the digging of the canal and the granting of riparian rights to the owners of the back lots would interfere with their riparian rights. There was no evidence that the level of the lake would be lowered or that its use for recreational purposes would be impaired. Both the corporation and the riparian landowners moved for summary judgment. The circuit court granted summary judgment for the riparian landowners, and upon appeal, the court of appeals reversed. The riparian landowners appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Kavanagh, J.)
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