In an effort to enforce social distancing and slow the spread of the coronavirus, many cities and states across the nation have adopted emergency orders mandating that restaurants, including fast-food chains, shut down their dine-in facilities. Not surprisingly, these new mandates resulted in a precipitous loss of business and have caused many restaurants to adjust
The Coronavirus’ Impact on Pending Land Use Applications and Approved Construction Projects
NOTE: This blog post was updated on March 27, 2020 to reflect the new guidance that was issued by New York State Governor Cuomo’s office today relative to construction.
Despite 
the crippling impact that the coronavirus is having on all aspects of our daily lives, many developers are moving ahead with their projects, regardless
Modern Convenience Stores Restricted by “Inconvenient” Zoning Rules
The history of convenience stores in the United States can be traced back to 1927, when an employee of the Southland Ice Company in Dallas, Texas, realized that people needed a place where they could buy basic necessities after other stores had closed. The employee decided to sell items such as milk, bread, eggs and
Standoff Between National Grid and New York State Over Gas Pipeline is Impacting Homeowners and Businesses
In May 2019, National Grid – the utility company that provides natural gas to approximately 1.8 million customers in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island – announced a moratorium on the processing of applications for new gas service. The moratorium was imposed following a May 15, 2019 Decision by the New York State Department
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
Long Island’s Backyard Chicken Movement Tries Not to Run A-Fowl of Local Zoning Regulations
The backyard chicken movement that has been rapidly gaining momentum across the United States has firmly taken hold on Long Island. The desire for homeowners to raise chickens takes various forms and can be rewarding on many levels. For those who desire a diet of food that is GMO-free or are disturbed by media reports
Town of Hempstead Adopts Sweeping Zoning Changes to Encourage Transit-Oriented Development in North Lawrence and Inwood
The Hempstead Town Board recently approved a sweeping rezoning of portions of North Lawrence and Inwood that are designed to encourage mixed-use, commercial and transit-oriented developments. This rezoning initiative, which was spearheaded by Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman, hopes to transform derelict areas north of the Lawrence and Inwood Long Island Rail Road stations into
East Hampton Zoning Board Rules that Doggy Day Care is a Legal Home Occupation
A Town of East Hampton resident can continue to operate a home-based dog-walking and pet sitting business after the East Hampton Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to overturn a previous determination by the Town’s Building Inspector, who concluded that the business use was not a “home occupation” as defined in the East Hampton Town
Developments of Regional Significance Are Subject to Additional Scrutiny by Pine Barrens Commission
The Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve Act, Environmental Conservation Law, Article 57 (the “Act”), was adopted in 1993 for the purpose of protecting approximately 102,500 acres of the Long Island Pine Barrens located within the towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton. The Act defines the boundaries of the Central Pine Barrens and divides
Court Rules that Delays Associated with SEQRA Review do not Violate Telecommunications Act
Due to the proliferation of advanced mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, wireless service providers anticipate a significant increase in data traffic over their networks in the next few years. As a result, mobile operators have been compelled to find new ways to increase their network capacity, provide better coverage and reduce network congestion.