This post was authored by Amy Lavine, Esq.
in Lepper v. Scordinothe Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of selective enforcement and class-of-one equal protection claims involving a treehouse that was built without a permit.
The court first explained that on a selective enforcement claim, a plaintiff must show that “(1) the person, compared with others similarly situated, was selectively treated, and (2) the selective treatment was motivated by an intention to discriminate on the basis of impermissible considerations, such as race or religion, to punish or inhibit the exercise of constitutional rights, or by a malicious or…
This post was authored by Tyler Doan, Esq.
Cook Communities (Cook) bought roughly 32.6 acres of land in Hall County to build approximately 200 attached townhomes. At the time of purchase, the land was zoned for agricultural housing. Cook sought to have the zoning map changed and the property rezoned as planned residential development. Cook argued that a denial of its request would be “an unconstitutional restriction on the use of the property” and “abolish or damage [its] property rights” without fair and just compensation in violation of both state and federal constitutions. In January of 2022 the local planning…
This post was authored by Sebastian Perez, JD
The question before the Court of Appeals of Georgia (the “Court”) was at what point a landowner had vested rights in real property where Plaintiff purchased the subject property (the “Property”) to develop 9,000 square foot lots when the county’s zoning code (the “Code”) allowed for such density at the time but was later amended to require larger sizes. After the county, where the Property was located, passed, and extended a moratorium on processing land disturbance permits, the Plaintiff’s application to develop the Property was returned due to the moratorium. Plaintiff sought…
This post was authored by Tyler Doan, Esq.
Respondent submitted a major site plan application to the City of Buffalo Planning Board seeking approval of the construction of four apartment buildings. On November 8, 2021, the Planning Board issued a negative declaration pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act and a waterfront consistency review finding that the project was consistent with the City of Buffalo’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. On January 10, 2022, the Planning Board voted to approve the site plan with conditions. On March 6, 2022 Petitioners commenced an Article 78 proceeding seeking to annul the waterfront…
This post was authored by Tyler Doan, Esq.
The petitioner initially contested the grant of an exception to the local zoning ordinance to allow a converted church in a single-family residence area to be used as “small gathering space” for community events such as bridal and baby showers and class reunions. After a public hearing, the Board of Adjustments granted the exception.
The Petitioner then filed a petition for writ of certiorari challenging the board’s decision. The district court concluded the board “did not act illegally in granting the exception.” The Petitioner then appealed to the present court arguing a…
This post was authored by Gabriella Mickel, JD Candidate 2024, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.
Defendant-landowner Sisters & Brothers Investment Group, LLP (SBIG) appealed an environmental-division enforcement order that prohibited them from using a property in the City of Burlington as a parking lot, requiring them to address site-improvement deficiencies as per an agreement with the prior owner and the City, and imposing fines of $66,759.22.
SBIG purchased the property, a gas and service station (a preexisting, nonconforming use), in 2004, which had existing violations. An agreement was signed between the prior owner and the City, specifying…
This post was authored by Amy Lavine, Esq,
A recent decision from the Suffolk County Supreme Court, Matter of Save Sag Harbor v Village of Sag Harbor, involving the village’s adoption of a local law that expanded the definition of an apartment building in order to allow more affordable housing. The village attorney had drafted a negative declaration pursuant to SEQRA, which was given to the village board members at the public hearing, but there was no discussion by the board members or public commenters about the law’s potential environmental impacts.
After closing the public hearing, the board simultaneously adopted…
What’s Going on With Wetlands? The Supreme Court Takes Another Dive into the “Waters of the US”
Sarah Matrian
Social media was once inundated with the question “is water wet?” But are wet(land) water? The Supreme Court has been asked to determine this very question and the justices will once again attempt to define the boundaries of the Clean Water Act. Depending on the outcome, certain federal protections for wetlands could either be washed away or shored up.
Water is a way of life in Michigan. Beyond manufacturing and industry, a significant portion of Michigan’s revenue is generated from recreation…
