Last month, the Appellate Division, Second Department, issued two interesting opinions concerning parking. One involved a parking variance and the other involved a restrictive covenant.
Here are the details!
Are Land Use Fees the Solution to Long Island’s Fiscal Challenges? – Part 3
In this post, which is the third and final segment of a three-part series, we look at real property recording and related fees, which have increased significantly in Nassau and Suffolk Counties in recent years. Like illegal impact fees and excessive administrative review fees, fees related to the recording of legal instruments are being
State Liquor Laws Preempt Local Municipalities from Restricting Operating Hours
The State liquor law preempts local municipalities from restricting hours of operation for businesses selling alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. Accordingly, local municipalities should use caution when imposing conditions upon establishments regulated by the State Liquor Authority and would be wise to consider alternative ways to manage late hours accompanied by public imbibing.
In February
Are Land Use Fees the Solution to Long Island’s Fiscal Challenges? – Part 2
In this post, which is the second segment of a three-part series, we will highlight the various ways that local governments facing fiscal challenges have turned to imposing fees related to the administration of their zoning, subdivision and other land development ordinances to generate additional revenue. Such fees are authorized by law and can be
Second Department Reverses Trial Court: Cottage is not a Nonconforming Use
On April 5, 2017, in an Article 78 proceeding, Tavano v. Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Patterson, 2017 NY Slip Op 02661, the Second Department reversed a trial court decision and reinstated a decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Patterson. The zoning board had granted petitioner Tavano’s
Vested Rights – Court of Appeals Update
Sometimes called a “case of the race,” the common law doctrine of vested rights is “one of the most troublesome areas of land use regulation.” Exeter Building Corp v Town of Newburgh, 114 AD3d 774 [2d Dept 2014].
In New York, the “vested rights” doctrine is equitable in nature and implicated when a property
Fair Play in Granting Area Variances on the Tennis Court and in the Judicial Court
The orientation of a tennis court in a north/south direction is a benefit to competitive players interested in fair tennis play. Even the Appellate Division, Second Department, agrees.
To avoid the impact of sun glare, a Town of Southampton property owner sought several variances to construct a tennis court in a north/south direction. One of
Hemp: Coming to a Farm Near You?
DEREGULATING INDUSTRIAL HEMP
Plans to expand New York’s Industrial Hemp Agricultural Pilot Program were recently announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo at one of his State of the State addresses. The program, which commenced in 2016, was authorized pursuant to the federal government’s passage of its 2014 Farm Bill, which specifically allows universities and state departments
Steel Over the Ocean: LIPA Approves Offshore Wind Farm Southeast of Montauk
Last Wednesday, LIPA unanimously approved Deepwater Wind’s proposal to build the nation’s largest offshore wind farm approximately 30-35 miles off the coast of Montauk, New York. Construction will include fifteen turbines with a 90 megawatt capacity able to power 50,000 homes. The turbines will be built out of sight to address vehement public comments against
Village of Asharoken Opts Out of Federal Beach Project
Asharoken, N.Y. January 10, 2017 — Swayed by public opinion, the Incorporated Village of Asharoken (“Asharoken”) opted out of a federal beach nourishment plan implemented by the Army Corp of Engineers (“ACOE”) in order to prevent the general public from accessing the Villages’ private beaches.
Asharoken is a narrow isthmus connecting the Village of Northport