The New York Court of Appeals issued a decision today finding that the inter-agency/intra-agency exemption under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) does not apply to Federal Agency communications with State Agencies. The case of Matter of Town of Waterford v New York State DEC, was extensively discussed in a…
While upholding the denial of some area variances and a special permit, finding the evidence in the record supported that determination, the Appellate Division also reversed the denial of a special permit for a refuse enclosure, as well as a variance for placement of a sign. In Matter of White…
The Appellate Division held that where an EAF identified either neutral or beneficial effects from a proposed zoning amendment a town board, acting as a lead agency, properly issued a negative declaration. In Matter of Matter of Gabrielli v Town of New Paltz, the Court noted that even though the…
Last week President Obama signed the ”Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012” which included provisions limiting municipal authority over modification of existing telecommunications facilities. The new provisions read as follows: SEC. 6409. WIRELESS FACILITIES DEPLOYMENT. (a) FACILITY MODIFICATIONS.- (1) IN GENERAL.-Notwithstanding section 704 of the Tele-…
The Appellate Division Fourth Department reversed the denial of a special permit when it found the denial to be based upon “generalized community objections.” In Matter of Young Development, Inc. v. Town of West Senaca, the Court held: “Contrary to respondents’ contention, petitioners established that the sewer system of respondent…
A Local village’s law requiring occupancy applications and inspection of rental units, before permiting occupancy, was held to be unconstitutional by the Appellate Division this week. In
The Appellate Division affirmed dismissal of a claim under 42 U.S.C. §1983 for violation of civil rights, based upon a claim of improper delay in issuing a certificate of occupancy for a house. In Matter of Zarabi v. Incorporated Village of Roslyn Harbor, the Court found that the existence of…
The Appellate Division held that despite the fact that a parcel had been zoned for industrial use for fifty years, and that the Town’s comprehensive plan designated the parcel for industrial use, a rezoning and change of the comprehensive plan to residential use of the parcel was a proper exercise…
The Appellate Division directed that the Town of Oyster Bay file a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and take final action upon a special permit application by Costco. In the Matter of Costco Wholesale Corporation, v. Town Board of the Town of Oyster Bay, the Appellate Division affirmed the lower…
The Appellate Division held that the filing of a zoning board’s minutes, rather than the subsequent filing of the zoning board’s formal decision, commenced the running of thirty day statue of limitations for challenging that decision. In Matter of 92 MM Motel, Inc. v. Zoning Board of Appeals of the…