The facts at issue in Elpa Builders, Inc. v. State of New York are relatively straightforward.  The property owner (the “Owner”) owned a 53,645-square-foot parcel of property (the “Property”) along New York State Route 347 (“Route 347”) in the Town of Smithtown.  The Property is improved with a commercial building and is subject to a long-term ground lease with Taco
Continue Reading Property Owner’s Request for Court-Determined Just Compensation Backfires

Earlier this year, the Third Department handed down a surprising upset in the eminent domain arena.  See, Matter of Adirondack Historical Association v Village of Lake Placid, 161 A.D.3d 1256 [3d Dept 2018]The Appellate Division nullified the condemnation because the Village of Lake Placid failed to consider the environmental impact of its use of eminent domain to acquire
Continue Reading Faulty SEQRA Sinks Village’s Use of Eminent Domain

Early this year, the Supreme Court of New York, Richmond County issued a comprehensive opinion in Galarza v. City of New York, 58 Misc.3d 1210(A), reaffirming and clarifying the nuances of condemnation, takings and just compensation principles as they relate to wetlands restrictions.  The court held that the owner of a 21,000 square-foot vacant lot (“Property”) condemned
Continue Reading The Reasonable Probability Increment Continues to Boost Just Compensation For Wetlands Condemnation in Galarza v. City of New York

How The Difference Adversely Impacted A Property Owner In A Condemnation ProceedingToday’s blog post concerns a property owner receiving substantially less than it wanted when its property was taken in an eminent domain proceeding because the “highest and best use” it claimed was applicable to the site required an area variance and a zoning change, rather than a special use permit. The awarded amount was about $1 million less than the
Continue Reading Special Use Permits Versus Area Variances: How The Difference Adversely Impacted A Property Owner In A Condemnation Proceeding