Eminent domain, also known as condemnation, or simply, taking, is the long-established government practice of converting private property for public use. It applies to all property, including units and common areas owned through a community association such as condominium or homeowners’ associations. Historical Use The government’s use of eminent domain began in the late 1800’s as a mechanism to develop
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Kevin Hirzel, Brandan Hallaq and Kayleigh Long of Hirzel Law, PLC represented the Fox Pointe Association in this case. In Fox Pointe Association v Ryal, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued July 23, 2019 (Docket No. 344232), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a co-owner was responsible for the pre-existing bylaw violations of a prior co-owner after
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Kevin Hirzel and Brandan Hallaq of Hirzel Law, PLC represented the Channel View East Condominium Association in this case. On July 2, 2019, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued an Opinion in Channel View East Condominium Association, Inc v Gregory V Ferguson, unpublished per curiam opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued July 2, 2019 (Docket No. 344149). The issue
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In Michigan, many condominium documents contain a limitation that a Unit may be used for “residential purposes” only. Historically, an owner or the developer of a parcel of property could impose reasonable building, use, and occupancy restrictions on a parcel of property subject to public policy limitations. Kaczynski v. Lindahl, 5 Mich App 377; 146 NW2d 675 (1996). Lately, the
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WXYZ Detroit (Channel 7) recently interviewed Kevin Hirzel regarding the debate over HOA’s. The interview discusses the pros and cons of Homeowner’s Associations, what you need to know before entering into binding agreements with your association and how your day to day living will be impacted by that associations “rules and regulations”. This interview also discusses how entering into binding
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In Fox Bay Civic Assn, Inc v Creswell, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued May 30, 2019 (Docket No. 343384), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a homeowners association could enforce its deed restrictions banning fences and that a disabled owner could not erect a fence in order to keep her emotional support and service dogs in
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In Stadler v Fontainebleau Condominiums Association, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued April 11, 2019 (Docket No. 343303), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that the plain language of the condominium bylaws permitted the condominium association to recover attorney’s fees and costs for successfully defending a co-owner’s lawsuit. The court further held that the condominium bylaws were enforceable
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