Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Michigan
Condo Association Restricts Family Day Care
I have no idea which area of law I should have choosen.
Our residential building site condominium has a bylaw that restricts against
operating a family day care. ''No unit in the Project shall be used for other
than single-family residential purposes as defined by the Village of (omitted)
Zoning Ordinances, and the common elements shall be used only for
purposes consistent with single family residential use. The operation of a
family or group day care home within the Project is prohibited.''
Local zoning ordinances specifically allow family day cares. I've read that site
condos have to conform with the requirements of the zoning district in which
it is established. PA 59 of 1978. If so, this bylaw seems to violate MCL
125.216g(2). Or, is at least contrary to public policy.
Does this bylaw restriction have any merit?
Further, the builder who currently holds a majority vote over the homewoners
association is supposedly willing to grant us an exception to operate a family
day care. If true, what happens when he has less than majority vote and the
new majority wants to recind the exception? Would we be ''grandfathered'' or
could we lose our business and home?
Thank you for your assistance.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Condo Association Restricts Family Day Care
Rather than getting a wrong answer by someone guessing, you should contact attornrey Robert Meisner who is the most expert lawyer on condos in the state and had major input into writing the condo law. He is in the North Woodward area, I believe. William S. Stern