Walish v. City of Milwaukee , 95 Wis. 16 ( 1897 )

Cassoday, C. J.

This is an appeal from an order sustaining a demurrer to the plaintiff’s complaint, alleging, in effect: That the plaintiff has been the owner of the lot described ever since 1876. That the lot is on the corner of North Water and Pearson streets, and lies on the north side of Pearson street and on the west side of North Water street, and is fifty feet front on North Water street, and extends west about 270 feet on Pearson street, to the established dock line on the Milwaukee river. That the lot is bounded on the west by the river. That, since 1876, the plaintiff has resided thereon with his family as a homestead. That February 13,1888, the defendant, by ordinance, permanently established the grade of North Water and Pearson streets in front of the premises of the plaintiff, and fixed and permanently established the same as follows: At the point of intersection of Yan Burén street, thirty six and one-half feet, assuming as a base the Milwaukee river as it was in March, 1836. That Yan Burén, Pearson, and North Water streets join together in front of the plaintiff’s premises. That, August 8, 1892, the defendant, by ordinance, duly ordained that the city, in pursuance to ch. 411, Laws of 1891, issue bonds for the construction of a viaduct across the river from the intersection of Yan Burén street with Brady street to the intersection of Holton street with Reservoir avenue. That March 20, 1893, the defendant, by ordinance, ordained that the grade of elevation of the viaduct in front of the plaintiff’s premises should be permanently fixed and established, so as to be eighteen feet higher than the grade established by the ordinance of February 13, 1888. That the defendant erected the viaduct in conformity to the grade last mentioned, and the same is now completed in accordance therewith and in accordance with the specifications and plans in possession of the defendant. That the viaduct is built of iron, and commences at Brady and Tan Burén streets, and passes through Yan Burén street into North "Water and Pearson streets, and thence, through Pearson street, west and across the. Milwaukee river. That the same is supported by heavy columns, set into the street below and above the surface, and also set into the river. That the columns and viaduct are carried a great distance above the plaintiff’s lot, and immediately south of his premises. That Pearson and North "Water streets are public highways, used as such for forty years. That the river is navigable. That the erection and maintenance of the viaduct has caused a great and material injury to the premises of the plaintiff, in the several particulars mentioned therein. That the defendant has unlawfully appropriated and taken the streets and river abutting the plaintiff’s lot, of which he is the owner in fee, for the construction, use, and maintenance of the viaduct. That the defendant has refused to allow the plaintiff any damages for his said injuries. Wherefore he demands judgment for $25,000 damages, and costs.

It is nowhere alleged, nor is it claimed, that at any time prior to the re-establishment of the grade, March 20,1893, as stated, that Pearson and North Water streets, or either of them, were, or was, ever actually graded to the grade so established February 13,1888, nor that, at the.time of so changing the grade or the erection of the viaduct, the board of public works did not make an assessment of benefits and damages as required by the provisions of the charter. Moreover, there is no allegation that either of.such grades was so established or changed or re-established unlawfully. On the contrary, it is to. be fairly inferred from the complaint that each and all of' such grades were duly and regularly established, and, changed op re-established, in strict accordance with the requirements of the charter, and that the viaduct was erected and constructed in conformity therewith. The charter provides that, “in all cases in which the grade of any street has been permanently established by ordinance since February 20,1852, or shall hereafter be so established, and after such permanent establishment thereof, and after such st/reet shall have leen actually graded to such established grade, the grade so established has been.or shall be altered by the city, the owner of any lot or parcel of land which may be affected or injured in consequence of such alteration of grade shall be entitled to compensation therefor.” Sec. 8, subch. VII, oh. 184, Laws of 1874. .Since the street was never actually graded to the grade so established in 1888, but was actually worked and completed only to the grade so established March 20, 1893, it follows that the complaint fails to state a cause of action for compensation for a change of grade, so given by the provision of the charter quoted. This is apparent from numerous decisions of this .court, among which are the following: Stadler v. Milwaukee, 34 Wis. 98; French v. Milwaukee, 49 Wis. 584; Tyson v. Milwaukee, 50 Wis. 78. The right to damages in such a case is purely statutory. Id. Hence, the well-established rule that, where a change of grade in a street is made under authority of law and with due care, the municipality is not liable for consequential injury to abutting lots, unless made so by statute or the. constitution. Drummond v. Eau Claire, 85 Wis. 562, and cases there cited. This rule was applied in Colclough v. Milwaukee, 92 Wis. 182. In that case it was held that: “ (1) The construction of an elevated approach to a viaduct, occupying the entire width of the street, is merely a change 'of tbe grade of the street, and is not a new taking of, nor does it impose any additional use or servitude upon, the property of the abutting owner. In the absence of any express statute allowing it, therefore, no damages cán be awarded to said owner for injury to his property caused by the construction of such approach; nor will its- construction be restrained at his suit.- (2) Such a lawful change'o'f the grade of a street is not a closing up or use of obstruction of the street, within the meaning of ch. '255, Laws of 1889 (S. & E. Ann. Stats, sec.- 1296a).” We are clearly of'the opinion that the case at bar is not distinguishable in principle from that case; and, hence, what Mr. Justice PiNNEY there said must be regarded as the opinion of the court in this case.

By the Oowrt.— The order of the superior court of Milwaukee county is affirmed.