3 N.J. Misc. 333 | N.J. | 1925
The stipulated facts are that relators are the owners of land in the city of Elizabeth, fronting thirty-four feet on Monroe avenue and one hundred and fifteen feet in depth along Louisa street, on which there has been for three years a frame dwelling, two and one-half stories high, with two stores facing Monroe avenue and one facing Louisa street.
Relators acquired said property August 31st, 1921, and there are no restrictive covenants in anywise affecting the use of said lands. That said lands are embraced In “Residence B” district of the zoning ordinance of Elizabeth. Since the erection of the building on said premises there has been in said building three stores — a tailor shop and pharmacy bn Monroe avenue and a barber shop on Louisa street. On July 11th, 1924, relators made application to William T.
In opposition to this rule, counsel for respondents urged two reasons only.
1. Certiorari is the proper remedy to be pursued, and that should be directed to a review of the determination of the board of adjustment.
But such a procedure would accomplish nothing and be unavailing. Biddle v. Commissioner of Banking, 100 Atl. Rep. 692.
2. Mandamus is not the proper remedy to review the proceedings of a statutory tribunal.
The answer to this is that the present proceeding does not contemplate a review of the action and proceedings of the board of adjustment, but seeks the assistance of this court’s prerogative writ to compel the building inspector to- perform an administrative act which it is asserted he, in law and fact, should have performed, namely, issue the permit applied for.
We have already pointed out that certiorari is unavailing and inadequate, therefore, resort to mandamus is proper.
We think the facts in this case makes the finding in Ignaciunas v. Risley, 98 N. J. L. 712, controlling.
As all the facts are before us upon argued stipulation, no advantage or benefit can arise in the allowance of an alternative writ and therefore a peremptory writ of mandamus may issue, with leave to apply for a molding of pleadings in the event that an appeal is desired.