Law Commons^™

'Saddle Rock': Preemption Of Local Land Use Prerogatives, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Local municipalities have broad authority to regulate land use as provided in state legislation. Like all higher forms of legislation, state law occasionally preempts local legislatures from enacting laws. Generally preemption is appropriate when the area to be regulated by the local laws is comprehensively regulated by state law, the uniformity of the state law will benefit the localities, and inconsistencies in local law are harmful to land owners and municipalities. This article discusses the pros and cons of state preemption on various types of land use regulation.

Takings Formalism And Regulatory Formulas: Exactions And The Consequences Of Clarity, Mark Fenster

ExpressO

A vocal minority of the U.S. Supreme Court recently announced its suspicion that lower courts and state and local administrative agencies are systematically ignoring constitutional rules intended to limit, through heightened judicial review, exactions as a land use regulatory tool. Exactions are the concessions local governments require of property owners as conditions for the issuance of the entitlements that enable the intensified use of real property. In two cases decided over the past two decades, Nollan v. California Coastal Commission (1987) and Dolan v. City of Tigard (1994), the Court has established under the Takings Clause a logic and metrics …

Local Authority: Communities Have Means Of Influencing Land Use, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This case analysis examines several court decisions, including the results of three New York Court of Appeals cases where litigants challenged the constitutionality of municipal land use decisions. In each case, the court afforded the municipality deference and found that their objectives were rationally related to the decisions, mostly decisions to deny development. However, this presumption of validity given to local legislatures and quasi-judicial agencies presents a problem when land use decisions affect outside municipalities. Thankfully, through the use of training programs, municipalities are learning to work together to resolve intermunicipal land use issues.

Local Land Use: Decision Expands Federal Government's Role, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pursuant to its authority under the Clean Water Act, has promulgated regulations creating the Storm Water Management Program. Contrary to the overall Clean Water Act scheme, which focuses on reducing pollution from point sources, the program has the objective of reducing non-point source water pollution. However, this program is not without controversy as heavy burdens are placed upon local governments, who themselves lack the financial resources, manpower, or technology to implement a complex federal system without federal or state assistance.

Planning For Conflicts Of Interest In Land Use Decisionmaking: The Use Of Alternate Members Of Planning And Zoning Boards, Patricia E. Salkin

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

Gulf River Estuary Natural Resources Inventory, Chantal Lefebvre, Dan Hellin, Chris Crawford

Urban Harbors Institute Publications

The purpose of this analysis is to inventory the present assemblage of natural resources in the vicinity of the Gulf River estuary as well as to provide information on land use, recreational use, and pollution threats and concerns. The inventory summarizes existing research and the knowledge and experience of local experts and residents who are most familiar with the Gulf River’s natural environment. It could be used as the first step toward producing a resource management plan for the Gulf River estuary.

The analysis was initiated and funded by the Gulf River Association and prepared to serve as a reference …

Open Meetings: Land Use Mediation And The Public's Right To Know, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Great uncertainty surrounds the New York Open Meetings Law (OML), a law that permits the public to attend meetings of public bodies. Obviously, the OML becomes especially crucial in the area of land use where public governmental meetings are the norm, and conflicts usually involve several interested parties. This article delves into OML issues such as, what constitutes a public meeting, and the importance of having meetings open to the public.

Where Will The Baby Boomers Go? Planning And Zoning For An Aging Population, Patricia E. Salkin

Scholarly Works

The article discusses the subject of land use planning and zoning for an aging community.

2002 U.S. Supreme Court Term Includes Zoning Referendum Case, Patricia E. Salkin

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.