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

Due to delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other factors, many municipalities across Long Island are experiencing significant backlogs of processing building permit applications.  In some towns and villages, applicants are waiting several months to obtain a building permit.  Currently, building permits can only be issued by local municipalities and their officials tasked with such duties.  However,
Continue Reading New York State Legislature Considering Bill That Would Allow Licensed Architects or Engineers to Issue Building Permits

In recent years, advances in technology have not only enhanced our ability to connect with one another on a professional and social level but also, advances in technology have allowed the government, at all levels, to peep into our lives at every turn. th[2]

Today, criminal defendants’ cases can easily rise and fall on the nature of a defendant’s Facebook or
Continue Reading FROM PEEPING TOMS TO PEEPING DRONES: Help! Big Brother Government is Peeping in My Backyard

FWine Grapes NYSor the first time since 2005, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is allowing New York wineries to produce wines with grapes grown out-of-state.
The move comes after New York suffered through one of the harshest winters in recent memory, which resulted in wide scale damage to vines and resulted in a drastic reduction of 2014’s
Continue Reading Harsh Winter Allows New York Wineries to Use Out-of-State Grapes