While the Town of Halfmoon (“Town”) in Saratoga County, New York, may be far from any given reader, the issues in Micklas v. Town of Halfmoon Planning Board, 170 A.D.3d 1483 (3d Dep’t 2019), are close to the heart: whether a golf course may brew beer on-site for its patrons, and does such a brewery constitute
Continue Reading The Appellate Division, Third Department, Holds a Brewpub May Be an Accessory Use to a Golf Course
Third Department
Commercial Development around a Residential Parcel Supports Hardship Element for Use Variance
A use variance is arguably one of the most difficult zoning approvals to obtain and is rarely granted. Petitioners in 54 Marion Ave., LLC v. City of Saratoga Springs, 2018 N.Y. Slip Op. 04611, 162 A.D.3d 1341 (3d Dep’t 2018), commenced a hybrid proceeding/action to challenge and annul a determination of the Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA…
Continue Reading Commercial Development around a Residential Parcel Supports Hardship Element for Use Variance
Third Department Affirms “Neg. Dec.” Do-Over in Village of Ballston Spa v. City of Saratoga Springs
In SEQRA parlance, a “Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance”, or “Neg. Dec.”, is a lead agency’s finding that the proposed Type I or Unlisted Action under review will not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts. An applicant whose project receives a Neg. Dec. is spared the (often) considerable time and expense of preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) and…
Continue Reading Third Department Affirms “Neg. Dec.” Do-Over in Village of Ballston Spa v. City of Saratoga Springs