On October 17, 2018, the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department (“Second Department”) issued two (2) companion decisions arising out of three different attempts by Petitioners, Kleinknechts (“Petitioners”) to construct a dock at their waterfront property. Each of the attempts resulted in a Supreme Court litigation. As we blog about these cases today, no dock has been constructed despite a
Continue Reading Second Department Reverses Mandamus Requiring Building Inspector to Issue a Permit to Construct a Dock
Second Department Upholds Board of Zoning Appeals Decision Finding Vacant Land Was Not Single and Separate
Given the complex zoning regulations that govern development of vacant land, in recent years, it has become uniquely challenging to develop smaller tracts of vacant land that do not conform to the current zoning code. Further, the doctrines of merger and single and separate add to the complications. Unless a buyer is absolutely certain that the land for purchase is
Continue Reading Second Department Upholds Board of Zoning Appeals Decision Finding Vacant Land Was Not Single and Separate
Tenant Has Standing to Challenge Definition of Family Set Forth in Village Code
On June 28, 2017, the Appellate Division, Second Department, held that a tenant has standing to challenge the definition of “Family” as set forth in the Freeport Village Code.
In Tomasulo v. Village of Freeport, ___A.D.3d___, the Village commenced a criminal proceeding against non-party property owner, William Goodhue, Jr. (owner), alleging that the tenancy between Tomasulo (tenant) and the owner
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Denial of Site Plan Application to Construct a Mosque Held to Violate RLUIPA
On December 31, 2016, U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp of the District of New Jersey authored a 57-page opinion granting partial summary judgment to plaintiffs, The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (“Islamic Society”) holding that defendants, the Township of Bernards (“Bernards”), violated Islamic Society’s rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”). The Bernards Planning Board denied
Continue Reading Denial of Site Plan Application to Construct a Mosque Held to Violate RLUIPA