NEW YORK CITY LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT UPDATE | ||
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Why "As of Right Zoning" is Critical for New York City's Continued GrowthA few years ago in a real estate and land use practice bulletin, we compared and contrasted area variances under New York State law with area (or bulk) variances under New York City law. We explained that the threshold to obtain a bulk variance in New York City is much higher and significantly more burdensome than the threshold to obtain an area variance under state law, and that, generally, bulk variances in New York City are treated similar to use variances in villages, towns and cities throughout the rest of the state. As extremely difficult as it is to obtain a use variance outside of New York City, it is likewise difficult to obtain a bulk variance in New York City. | |
FIRM NEWS | ||
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Chris J. Coschignano/Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano Touro Law Center Scholarship AnnouncedSahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC has announced the creation of the Chris J. Coschignano/Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC Scholarship, which will be awarded to a second–year law student at Touro Law Center interested in practicing in the area of land use or real estate law. The amount of the scholarship is $25,000. Mr. Coschignano, a 1990 graduate of Touro Law Center, concentrates his practice in the areas of zoning and land use planning, real estate law and transactions. | |
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Firm Launches Environment, Energy, and Resources Practice GroupNew Practice Focus Reflects Growing Need to Ensure Region's Energy Sources Are SustainableSahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano recently announced the formation of its Environment, Energy, and Resources Practice Group, which will be supported by the Firm's zoning and land use, and litigation practices. The group will be spearheaded by three of the Firm's partners, Miriam Villani, Jon A. Ward and Daniel H. Braff — who, respectively, have extensive experience in environmental, litigation and land use matters — and Associate Joseph R. Bjarnson, who concentrates his practice in land use and zoning, litigation and appeals. |
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Michael Sahn Offers Solutions on Paying for Infrastructure Improvements in InnovateLI Op-EdMichael Sahn, Managing Partner of the Firm, recently wrote an article for InnovateLI discussing the challenges local municipalities face in funding needed infrastructure improvements. Mr. Sahn offers several suggestions to help local municipalities, including the creation of a state-wide fund to help local governments pay debt service. | |
LIBN Interviews Chris Coschignano on How Attorneys Help Companies Obtain IDA BenefitsChris Coschignano, a Partner with the Firm, was one of the attorneys featured in a Long Island Business News article on how attorneys can assist local businesses in obtaining Industrial Development Agency (IDA) benefits to stimulate economic development on Long Island. Click here to read the Long Island Business News article. In a similar article, Mr. Coschignano was quoted in Newsday for a story on a self-storage facility in Nassau County that received IDA benefits. | ||
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Adam H. Koblenz Named as One of Long Island Business News’ Top MillennialsAdam H. Koblenz, a Partner with the Firm, received the Long Island Business News Millennial Award during a special ceremony on September 15 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. | |
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Wayne G. Edwards and Christian Browne Named Recipients of LIBN’s "Leadership in Law" AwardWayne G. Edwards and Christian Browne, Partners with the Firm, will each receive Long Island Business News’ Leadership in Law award. Both will be honored in the category of Partner. The ceremony will take place on November 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. |
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John P. Christopher Serves as Program Chair at NYSBA Young Lawyers Section 2016 Fall MeetingJohn P. Christopher, a Partner with the Firm, was Program Chair for the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Young Lawyers Section (YLS) 2016 Fall Meeting on September 30th and October 1st at the NYSBA Bar Center in Albany, New York. As program chair, Mr. Christopher was responsible for organizing the Fall Meeting for the YLS, the largest section in the NYSBA. | |
Miriam Villani Named as LIBN's "Who's Who in Women in Professional Services"Miriam Villani, a Partner with the Firm, was featured in Long Island Business News' "Who's Who in Women in Professional Services." Her profile focused on her work with the Firm, as well as being editor-in-chief of The New York Environmental Lawyer and as an author of numerous articles for many legal publications, including West’s New York Practice Series. | ||
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Elaine Colavito Named as LIBN's "Ones to Watch" in LawElaine Colavito, an Associate with the Firm, was named as one of the "Ones to Watch" in Law by Long Island Business News. "Ones to Watch" is featured each week in LIBN, highlighting six people who stand out in their respective fields. | |
Matters of Interest | ||
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Christian Browne Obtains Approvals for New Urology Practice Affiliated with South Nassau Communities HospitalChristian Browne, a Partner with the Firm, recently obtained approval from the Rockville Centre Board of Zoning Appeals to allow for the conversion of an abandoned office building to a new medical urology practice affiliated with South Nassau Communities Hospital. The fully renovated building will house four existing practices and approximately 15 staff members. The building is located at 510 Merrick Road in Rockville Centre, in close proximity to the hospital. | |
Christian Browne Obtains Reversal of Hempstead Board of Appeals Variance Denial for Two-Family DwellingChristian Browne, a Partner with the Firm, recently successfully represented a client before the New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County, seeking to reverse the decision of the Town of Hempstead Board of Appeals denying his application for a variance to maintain a two-family dwelling on a parcel located within the Town’s Business District. | ||
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAW | ||
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Michael H. Sahn and Nicholas J. Cappadora Review Local Land Use Cases Applying the Williamson TestMichael H. Sahn, the Firm’s Managing Partner, and Nicholas J. Cappadora, an Associate with the Firm, co-authored "Ripeness in Local Land Use Disputes — Williamson is Here to Stay” for the September 2016 edition of Nassau Lawyer. The article discusses when local land use disputes involving alleged violations of constitutional rights are ripe for judicial review. |
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Adam H. Koblenz Explores the Role of Jury Trials in Mechanic's Lien Foreclosure ActionsAdam H. Koblenz, a Partner with the Firm, published an article, "Striking a Jury Demand in a Mechanic’s Lien Foreclosure Action" in the September 2016 issue of Nassau Lawyer. In his article, Mr. Koblenz describes when and why a general contractor files a mechanic’s lien foreclosure action and how the plaintiff contractor often seeks to have the case heard by a jury. In accordance with New York State law, a contractor's request for a jury trial is denied if the contractor is seeking both equitable and legal claims. |
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Chris J. Coschignano and Nicholas J. Cappadora Discuss the Use of Boundary Line Agreements to Settle Property DisputesChris J. Coschignano, a Partner with the Firm, and Nicholas J. Cappadora, an Associate with the Firm, published an article in the September 2016 issue of Nassau Lawyer titled "Boundary Line Issues In Residential Real Estate Transactions: Practical Solutions for a Real (Property) Problem." The article provides attorneys with useful advice on how clients can resolve a conflict with a neighbor who makes additions or improvements that encroach on their client's side of the shared property line and how their clients can protect themselves with a Boundary Line Agreement. | ||
Elaine Colavito's "Bench Briefs" Appears in Suffolk LawyerElaine Colavito had her "Bench Briefs" column published in the September 2016 edition of The Suffolk Lawyer. "Bench Briefs" is a roundup of recent decisions from Suffolk County trial courts. | ||
OUT AND ABOUT | ||
Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano Sponsors Oyster Bay Town Supervisor’s 5K RunFirm Partner Chris Coschignano Will Take Part in the Event to Raise Money for Autism SpeaksOnce again, Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC will sponsor the Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor’s 5K Run and Runner’s Edge "Long Island Champions Challenge," which will take place on October 15 at 9 a.m. at Townsend Square in Oyster Bay. | ||
DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURE | ||
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Download our BrochureSahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC's Firm brochure, featuring the Firm's partners and practice areas. | |
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Main Office: 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard, Suite 601, Uniondale, New York 11553 • Telephone: (516) 228-1300 • Telecopier: (516) 228-0038 | |
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© Copyright 2016. All Rights Reserved. SAHN WARD COSCHIGNANO, PLLC Attorneys At Law This is New York Attorney Advertising. This enewsletter is designed for general information only. The information presented in this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. |
