In 1999, the Greenport Group, LLP (“Greenport Group”) acquired a 31 acre parcel of land located on the east side of Chapel Lane and the north side of the Main Road in Greenport in the Town of Southold. The southerly portion of the property was zoned “Limited Business” and the northerly portion was zoned “Hamlet
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.
Appellate Division Revives Challenge to New York City’s Moratorium on Hotel Conversions
In Real Estate Bd. of New York, Inc. v. City of New York, Petitioner-Plaintiff Real Estate Board of New York, Inc. (“REBNY”) commenced a hybrid article 78 proceeding and plenary action against the City of New York (“City”) challenging the City’s adoption of Local Law No. 50 of 2015 (“
Long-Awaited SEQRA Amendments Are Finally Here: So What Are They, and What Do They Mean?
After six years and vigorous public comment, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted substantive amendments to the implementing regulations of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The new regulations take effect on January 1, 2019 and will apply to all pending and future actions for which a determination of
Landmarks Preservation Commission May Prevent the Privatization of Interior Landmarks
In Matter of Save America’s Clocks, Inc. v. City of New York, the majority of a divided 3-2 Appellate Division, First Department, panel attempted to clarify the authority of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) under the New York City Landmarks Preservation and Historic Districts Law (“Landmarks Law”). The majority ruled that
Oyster Bay’s Code Provision Linking Building Permits To Qualified Apprenticeship Programs Enjoined
Several Long Island municipalities have local laws that peg the issuance of certain building permits to a requirement that contractors and subcontractors be participants in a “qualified apprenticeship program” that is registered and approved by the New York State Department of Labor. While these provisions are often entitled “safe and code compliant construction” and may
New York Supreme Court Upholds Riverhead Town ZBA Determination Affirming Pre-existing Nonconforming Marina, Commercial Oyster Operation and Summer Cottage Use
By letter dated November 24, 2009, the Town of Riverhead’s Building Department Administrator provided that the docks, bulkheaded structures, commercial oyster operation, and six summer rental cottages were legal pre-existing nonconforming uses of the property at 28 Whites Lane, on Reeves Creek, Aquebogue NY (“subject property”). The subject property is owned by John and Sandra
FOIL Follies- Draft Plans Once Submitted Must Be Made Available
New York’s Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”) mandates that agencies make all “records” available for public inspection and copying, subject to certain exemptions. See, Public Officers Law. The presumption under FOIL is that the public has a right to access “records” maintained by an any agency, because “the Legislature enacted FOIL to provide the public
Can I Park Here? Second Department Takes the Driver’s Seat in Recent Parking Cases
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!
No Parking
Westhampton Beach Park Fee Upheld
My partner, Anthony Guardino, recently posted a three-part series about land use fees on this blog. This post concerns a decision by the Appellate Division upholding a $776,307 “Park Fee” imposed by the Village of Westhampton Beach in connection with the development of a 6.59 acre tract of land.