Legal pre-existing nonconforming uses (aka grandfathered uses) have a tenuous existence in New York. Although protected by vested property rights in the Constitution, many local zoning ordinances seek to eliminate these vestigial uses with regulations that hinge on continual use. The allowance of nonconforming uses by the courts has been grudgingly tolerated, with the ultimate
Village Of North Haven Planning Board’s Denial of Rock Revetment Upheld
The Village of North Haven is a peninsula of land located on Noyac Bay in the Town of Southampton near Sag Harbor. Pursuant to Village Code §163-48(A), site plan review shall be required for “any proposed construction of a single family residence or accessory
Dog Training Business is Not a “Customary Home Occupation” According to Upstate NY Town
A recent Fourth Department decision upheld a determination by the Town of Westmoreland Zoning Board of Appeals (the “Westmoreland ZBA” or the “Board”) finding that a dog training business is not a “customary home occupation” within the meaning of the local zoning code.
Matter of McFadden v Town of Westmoreland Zoning Bd. presents a strikingly
Court Decision Creates Conflicting Case Law with Respect to When to Challenge a SEQRA Final Determination
The Appellate Division, Second Department, recently issued a decision that appears to be a departure from prior precedent and is certain to create confusion with respect to when to commence an Article 78 claim challenging a final State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) determination. In Stengel v Town of Poughkeepsie Planning Board, 167 AD3d
Appellate Court Upholds Adverse Possession Claim of Lake Bottom
In July, the Appellate Division, Third Department issued a decision that dealt with lake bottoms and adverse possession. In LS Marina, LLC v ACME of Saranac, LLC, the appellate court found in favor of the marina operator and granted it summary judgment on its adverse possession claim. Here are the facts and analysis that
Short-Term Rental Law Stumbles, But Survives Federal Court Challenge
Earlier this month, a challenge to the Town of Shelter Island (“Shelter Island”) short term rental law ordinance enacted in April 2017, amended May 2019 (“STRL”), came to an end – for now. Several years ago, the Shelter Island Town Board enacted its STRL to (i) impose licensing and advertising requirements for certain vacation
Town’s Decision To Acquire An Easement To Install A Sewer Line Along The Ludovico Sculpture Trail Is Annulled
The Ludovico Sculpture Trail (Trail) is located near the Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, NY. Its website can be found at cnyhiking.com/LudovicoTrail.htm. The Trail recently became a centerpiece of a land use dispute with the Town of Seneca Falls (Town).
In Matter of Frank J. Ludovico Sculpture Trail Corp. v Town of
Fourth Department: Interest in Architecture and Historic Preservation Not Sufficient to Confer Standing Under SEQRA
In Schmidt v. City of Buffalo Planning Bd., 174 A.D.3d 1413 (4th Dept., July 31, 2019), the petitioner, Terrence Robinson, filed suit to prevent the demolition of an architecturally significant apartment complex, claiming that the City Planning Board failed to comply with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) when it adopted a negative
Appellate Court Rejects Claims That Sought To Overturn A Five-Lot Subdivision For Community Solar Projects
A recent decision from the Appellate Division, Third Department, concerned an unsuccessful challenge to a subdivision approval for five separate community solar projects. First – a little background information. According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) a community solar project, sometimes referred to as a solar garden or shared renewable
Appellate Division Affirms Supreme Court Determination Upholding Southampton Town ZBA Decision
By decision dated December 17, 2015, the Town of Southampton Zoning Board of Appeals granted relief from Town Code §330-82 to allow a zero foot road frontage (where 40 feet is required) for two landlocked parcels located at 86 and 138 Old Sag Harbor Road in North Sea to allow for the construction of