The Second Department recently reversed a Suffolk County Supreme Court decision granting a use variance for a mother-daughter residence in the Village of Patchogue (the “Village”), in spite of statements made on the record by the Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) Chairman implying prior precedent approving such applications.
In June 2014, the petitioner applied to the Village seeking the conversion
On October 17, 2018, the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department (“Second Department”) issued two (2) companion decisions arising out of three different attempts by Petitioners, Kleinknechts (“Petitioners”) to construct a dock at their waterfront property. Each of the attempts resulted in a Supreme Court litigation. As we blog about these cases today, no dock has been constructed despite a
Continue Reading Second Department Reverses Mandamus Requiring Building Inspector to Issue a Permit to Construct a Dock
It turns out, according to the Supreme Court, Orange County, that the standards for review of municipal contracts are noticeably less stringent for New York Village Boards than for Town Boards. Village Boards may approve a contract in principal, allowing the Mayor some room for further negotiation and language changes. Town Boards must review and approve the actual, final contract
Recently Farrell Fritz, P.C. represented a family held limited liability company in connection with an application to a East End zoning board of appeals to maintain an eight (8) foot fence and six (6) foot driveway gates around its property in Sagaponack. See, 79 Parsonage LLC v. Zoning Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Sagaponack. Both the
Continue Reading Suffolk Supreme Court Overturns Zoning Board Denial of Deer Fence Application
It is well established that zoning codes and regulations are in derogation of property owners’ rights in and to the use of their property. Zoning restricts the use of land which was otherwise free of restrictions. An owner’s rights in use of land are among the oldest and enjoy the most protection under common law and state and federal constitutions.
Continue Reading The Ambiguity Rule: “Not-So-Clear” Can Be Useful When Seeking Variances
Week to week we blog about recent developments in the land use arena, which typically arise in the civil context. This week, we thought a recent “criminal” case decided by the Supreme Court, Appellate Term, Second Department, was not only particularly interesting, but also, the topic of illegal rental permits is one that many land use practitioners grapple with multiple
Continue Reading Appellate Term Reverses Village of Port Jefferson Illegal Rental Permit Convictions
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.
Westhampton Beach Associates, LLC v Incorporated Village of Westhampton Beach,
Continue Reading Westhampton Beach Park Fee Upheld
On June 28, 2017, the Appellate Division, Second Department, held that a tenant has standing to challenge the definition of “Family” as set forth in the Freeport Village Code.
In Tomasulo v. Village of Freeport, ___A.D.3d___, the Village commenced a criminal proceeding against non-party property owner, William Goodhue, Jr. (owner), alleging that the tenancy between Tomasulo (tenant) and the owner
Continue Reading Tenant Has Standing to Challenge Definition of Family Set Forth in Village Code
According to the American Planning Association, a “floating zone” is a zoning district that “delineates conditions” rather than the more traditional use classifications that are typically found on zoning maps. While a floating zone is contained in a zoning code, it is only added to the zoning map after a project seeking that designation is approved. Thus, it “floats” in
Continue Reading It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s A Floating Zone
In an effort to generate revenue without raising taxes, many municipalities on Long Island, and elsewhere in New York State, are turning to the use of various forms of land development fees to meet their fiscal challenges. In many cases, these fees can be legally and morally justified, such as when they offset the actual administrative costs of processing a
Continue Reading Are Land Use Fees the Solution to Long Island’s Fiscal Challenges? – Part 1