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Full-Text Articles in Law
Exclusionary Housing Vs. Fair Housing: The Need For State Legislation, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Exclusionary Housing Vs. Fair Housing: The Need For State Legislation, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
On September 23rd, Westchester County settled a lawsuit with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Anti-Discrimination Center of Metro New York under which it agreed to develop and carry out an implementation plan to construct 750 affordable housing units in Westchester communities with low percentages of African American and Hispanic households. Under this agreement, the County will provide over $50 million to create housing in these communities; if needed, the County agreed to withhold benefits from the communities or to bring litigation against them if the 750 units are not constructed. The County will be supervised by …
Settlement Raises Questions About Housing Obligations, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Settlement Raises Questions About Housing Obligations, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
It is well established that zoning regulations which operate in an exclusionary capacity are unconstitutional. However, a bright line has yet to be drawn by either the New York legislature or the New York courts as to what constitutes an exclusionary zoning provision. This article examines several restricted holdings of the New York courts and compares the limited New York legislation, such as the 2008 Long Island Workforce Housing Act, to more powerful state legislation from surrounding states, which have had more success abolishing exclusionary zoning.
Rising Tides--Changing Title: Court To Mull Takings Issue, John R. Nolon
Rising Tides--Changing Title: Court To Mull Takings Issue, John R. Nolon
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The United States Supreme Court has granted certiorari in Walton County v. Stop the Beach Renourishment, Inc., where novel questions arose concerning sea level rise and constitutional property rights of beachfront landowners. In Florida, the state government owns in trust, all beach property below the mean high tide water line, while beachfront landowners own the rights to any land above the mean high tide water line. The line shifts along with beachfront as the beach expands and contracts. In this Florida case, landowners challenge a state statute, which precludes the ocean property line from shifting in favor of the private …
Local Governments Weigh Green Building Standards, John R. Nolon, Jennie C. Nolon
Local Governments Weigh Green Building Standards, John R. Nolon, Jennie C. Nolon
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Through New York state legislation, localities are afforded broad authority adopt green building standards that reach beyond those imposed by state law. As localities begin to undertake the challenge of implementing green building initiatives, many legal questions arise. This article examines several instances of green local action and provides examples of successful local projects, as well as local mistakes. The municipalities mentioned include a broad spectrum of communities, from small municipalities such as Mount Kisko, to some of the larger cities in the state such as New York City and Syracuse.
Land Use Cases Highlight Lessons, Evolving Patterns: The Year In Review, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Land Use Cases Highlight Lessons, Evolving Patterns: The Year In Review, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
New York courts busily decided a multitude of land use cases in 2008 due to the increased growth in magnitude and complexity of land use issues. This year, as in the past, the authors summarize some of the most important cases. This year’s cases include the following topics: judicial deference to land use board decisions, zoning boards of appeals discretion, standard local practice, the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, statute of limitations, affordable housing, and eminent domain.
Bill Would Encourage Effective Dispute Resolution, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Bill Would Encourage Effective Dispute Resolution, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Many of the processes involved in traditional local land use review procedures involve two or more adversarial parties arguing their position with little to no consideration for the other party’s interest, and no regard for mutually beneficial outcome. This article describes a proposed New York law that would promote the use of mediation to supplement the traditional process. The article discusses studies geared towards testing the effectiveness of mediation, gives a review of out of state mediation legislation, as discusses corresponding court decisions. Finally, the article concludes with a review of the traditional roles of lawyers in the process, and …
Solar Energy: New York City Sets Pace In Adopting Sound Policies, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Solar Energy: New York City Sets Pace In Adopting Sound Policies, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Through state legislation and local land use powers, municipalities in New York have authority to facilitate solar energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. This article analyzes several specific New York and municipal legislative provisions enabling New York’s municipalities to encourage or discourage solar energy. Interestingly, many of the tools discussed in this article are variations of pre-existing traditional land use tools such as, variances, subdivision design requirements, or fee exemptions.
Practitioners Need Broader Expertise: Real Estate Law Is Undergoing Profound Changes, John R. Nolon, Shelby D. Green
Practitioners Need Broader Expertise: Real Estate Law Is Undergoing Profound Changes, John R. Nolon, Shelby D. Green
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
This article discusses the sweeping modifications to real estate law practice as legislators, courts, and lawyers attempt to accommodate a number of real world challenges. The authors’ discussion analyzes several of these transitioning influences, such as an increase in environmental concerns, shifts in environmental legislation, the subprime mortgage crisis, the effect Kelo v. New London has on the lawyers’ role in facilitating redevelopment, as well as the influence of new E-sign laws has on drafting real estate documents.
Vested Rights: Do Land Developers Need More Protection?, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Vested Rights: Do Land Developers Need More Protection?, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The general doctrine of vested rights protects developers from changes in zoning after they have received a valid building permit. This article explains the two varieties of vested rights laws New York: statutory, and common law. Also discussed, is a new proposal for vested rights legislation that would increase protection for developers over the existing laws. The article closes by citing of some of the concerns with vested rights such as the single integrated project theory, losing vested rights by abandonment, and the equitable estoppel rule.
Wind Power: An Exploration Of Regulations And Litigation, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Wind Power: An Exploration Of Regulations And Litigation, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Wind power presents an opportunity to harness a sustainable renewable energy source without the use of fossil fuels, which creates a great opportunity to mitigate climate change. However, the large turbines necessary to harness wind energy present several land use issues. This article, in addition to giving an introduction into the benefits of wind power, discusses several of these issues including comprehensive planning, moratoriums on development, and various options and land use tools local governments may use to legally implement wind power within their jurisdictions.
Year In Review: 2007'S Most Significant Land Use Cases, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Year In Review: 2007'S Most Significant Land Use Cases, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
New York courts busily decided a multitude of land use cases due to the increased growth in magnitude and complexity of land use issues. This year, as in the past, the authors provide a summary describing some of the most crucial New York land use cases. This year’s cases include the following topics: review of local board action, takings law, eminent domain, enforcement, jurisdiction, religious land uses, standing, moratoria, and New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
Municipal Lobbying: Regulations May Affect Land Use Practitioners, John R. Nolon
Municipal Lobbying: Regulations May Affect Land Use Practitioners, John R. Nolon
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Land use and real estate attorneys may find their practice areas impacted by recently passed lobbying legislation in both New York state, and New York City that require burdensome requirements for lawyers whose clients are seeking legislative action. This article explores the history of New York lobbying legislation, recent amendments to the lobbying laws, and the impact that lobbying legislation has on the practice of law. Notably, this review explores Article 1-A of the Legislative Law (known as the “Lobbying Act”) and the Public Employee Ethics Reform Act, both of which expanded the definition of lobbying, and significantly changed the …
Clustered Zoning Approaches Reduce Congestion, John R. Nolon
Clustered Zoning Approaches Reduce Congestion, John R. Nolon
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The effect of local zoning on our lives usually goes unnoticed despite its profound influence on human behavior. Zoning controls where we live and work, how we get from point A to point B, and what sort of homes we live in. This article provides examples of successful transit-oriented development projects at the local level as well as how state and federal government can contribute to the clustering effort via financing and research programs as well as providing appropriate infrastructure.
Transit Orientation Reduces Car Dependency, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Transit Orientation Reduces Car Dependency, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Urban dwellers emit less greenhouse gases per capita than their suburban or rural counterparts because urban environments are conducive to less automobile travel and require less energy to heat or cool their smaller urban living quarters. This article addresses the need for a more comprehensive transit oriented land use paradigm by taking the reader through a step-by-step approach to accomplishing this goal. The suggested model exemplifies the complexity of amending community planning and the importance of incorporating several different groups of people into the planning process. These groups include municipal, state, and federal governments, research groups, developers, and regional transportation …
Global Warming: Zoning May Be An Antidote To Climate Change, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Global Warming: Zoning May Be An Antidote To Climate Change, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Through the use of transit oriented development (TOD) several New York municipalities have transformed into more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Contrary to popular belief, these municipalities proved that reduction of emissions is possible while still expanding economic growth. This article highlights several success stories in a variety of community landscapes beginning with a look at urban redevelopment in Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle, New York, and then transitions to suburban success stories in Orangetown, and several municipalities along the Bear Mountain Parkway.
Didden V. Port Chester: Placing Eminent Domain Debate In Proper Perspective, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Didden V. Port Chester: Placing Eminent Domain Debate In Proper Perspective, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Controversy often arises when landowners in blighted areas resist government driven urban-renewal condemnation of their property. Often, these urban-renewal areas, the scope of which is determined after extensive study, are condemned and transferred to a private developer who has an overall plan for the entire designated area. This article discusses the issues that arise when private property interests are overridden by public interests and how urban renewal will help revitalize the economies of troubled inner-city regions.
Courts Have Decided A Wide Range Of Issues, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Courts Have Decided A Wide Range Of Issues, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
In 2006, as in most years, the New York courts have decided a broad range of land use issues. This article summarizes the impacts of several of these important decisions. Specifically, this article covers the following land use topics: affordable housing, statute of limitations, res judicata, standing to sue, enforcement of injunctions, takings law, vested rights, property annexation, religious land uses, New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and judicial review of local board actions.
Court Prods Municipality: Other States Offer Large Number Of Models To Consider, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Court Prods Municipality: Other States Offer Large Number Of Models To Consider, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The state legislature’s decision to leave the creation of affordable housing to New York’s local governments has resulted in a segmented, slowly evolving, and insufficient resolution to a statewide problem. For example, the Orange County Supreme Court, in Land Master v. Montgomery, struck down a zoning law that eliminated all as-of-right multifamily development, in a municipality where affordable housing was in urgent need. This article reviews comprehensive initiatives from other states, and suggests that through the adoption of a state legislation and planning, the affordable housing problem is rectifiable
Affordable Housing: A Case For State Legislative Action, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Affordable Housing: A Case For State Legislative Action, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Efforts by municipalities to promote affordable housing have proven to be insufficient as evidenced by the skyrocketing real estate prices in the New York metropolitan area. Historically, New York courts have struggled with the affordable housing issue, often issuing inconsistent decisions on what types of local laws are unconstitutionally exclusionary. By utilizing other states’ initiatives as a guide, New York can create a comprehensive affordable housing bill that will effectively provide for affordable housing and relieve some of the pressures on the judiciary caused by past ambiguous legislation.
Inclusionary Zoning: The Effect Of Market Forces On Local Housing Law, John R. Nolon
Inclusionary Zoning: The Effect Of Market Forces On Local Housing Law, John R. Nolon
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
As the price of housing continues to rise in the New York metropolitan area, municipalities have begun creating inclusionary housing ordinances to ensure working families have a place to call home. This article analyzes the effects of inclusionary zoning ordinances on the economics of affordable housing and suggests several potential methods that local, state, and federal government may utilize to ease the financial burden on developers willing to construct affordable housing projects.
Local Housing Efforts: The Maturation Of Laws Promoting Affordability, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Local Housing Efforts: The Maturation Of Laws Promoting Affordability, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
A shortage of workforce housing, especially in the New York metropolitan area where real estate prices are rapidly increasing, has long been a critical land use issue. Since amendments to New York state law that explicitly stated municipalities’ implied power to incentivize affordable housing, municipalities have begun to create innovative laws to promote affordable housing. This review describes some of the basic concepts behind the affordable housing movement, and the considerations of local legislatures in defining, and providing for affordable housing.
Mandated Training: Program Proposed For Local Decision-Makers, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Mandated Training: Program Proposed For Local Decision-Makers, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Local land use boards, made up of volunteers from the community, decide a majority of the land use issues in New York’s municipalities, as well as most other states. In the past, these decision makers were not required to obtain formal training. Now, several states and municipalities are recognize the substantial impact of land use board decisions, and as a consequence, are providing innovative training for their board members. Land use law becomes more complicated with each passing hour, and through proper training, land use board members can become informed decision makers who maximize the potential of their communities.
Fallout From Kelo: Ruling Spurs Legislative Proposals To Limit Takings, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Fallout From Kelo: Ruling Spurs Legislative Proposals To Limit Takings, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The 2005 Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London has galvanized much unwarranted controversy over governmental authority to condemn private property. A legislative reaction throughout the country has focused on limiting governmental condemnation authority in order to encourage economic development. This article discusses some of the specific pros and cons of reactionary legislation by both the federal and New York legislature.
New York Case Law Reaches Maturity, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
New York Case Law Reaches Maturity, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Through a review of recent case history, this article examines the role of courts in land use decisions. The consensus of the holdings is that a court should not substitute it’s discretion for that of a local land use board so long as the board’s decision was based on substantial evidence on the record. The rational for this standard of deference is based on the idea that local land use boards are legislative bodies that understand the needs of the communities they serve. This article highlights several instances where appeals courts reign in the power of trial courts that overstepped …
Court Of Appeals Again Restrains Lower Courts, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Court Of Appeals Again Restrains Lower Courts, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Through a review of recent case history, this article examines the role of courts in land use decisions. The consensus of the holdings is that a court should not substitute its discretion for that of a local land use board so long as the board’s decision was based on substantial evidence on the record. The rational for this standard of deference is based on the idea that local land use boards are legislative bodies that understand the needs of the communities they serve. This article highlights several instances where appeals courts reign in the power of trial courts that overstep …
Despite Alarmists, 'Kelo' Decision Protects Property Owners And Serves The General Good, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Despite Alarmists, 'Kelo' Decision Protects Property Owners And Serves The General Good, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The United States Supreme Court’s decision in Kelo v. City of New London, has spurred national debate, as many people portray the court’s decision as a damaging blow to private property rights. In Kelo, the court confirmed local government’s ability to condemn property in an area designated as blighted by the state, in order to encourage economic development. This article highlights several positive examples of this sort of condemnation in New York case law, where the public interest was served by economic redevelopment. The article goes further, to distinguish several legal decisions from Kelo, where courts invalidated condemnations upon a …
'Takings' Clarified: U.S. Supreme Court Provides Clear Direction, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
'Takings' Clarified: U.S. Supreme Court Provides Clear Direction, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The United States Supreme Court holding in Lingle v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc. clarified years of takings jurisprudence and overturned a controversial decision in the case of Agins v. City of Tiburon. This article discusses how the Lingle court denounced the “substantially advances” test created in Agins, as a due process inquiry rather than a proper takings test. The Lingle court instead opted to create a clear four-category paradigm for takings cases, which focuses on the burden the government places on private property rights in order to distinguish takings categories.
Zoning Exemptions: Granting Immunity To Private Wireless Providers, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Zoning Exemptions: Granting Immunity To Private Wireless Providers, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Contrary to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the New York Court of Appeals in the Matter of Crown Communication New York, Inc. v. Department of Transportation of the State of New York, City of New Rochelle et al., held that, both private companies who contract with local governments to build towers on public land, and the private companies who build attached antennae to these towers, are immune from local zoning regulations. The court’s decision is due to the public nature and importance of the mass communication these structures will provide. Of particular importance, was public good to be served by …
Court Reviews: The Takings Doctrine And Exactions, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Court Reviews: The Takings Doctrine And Exactions, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
Exactions occur when applications to develop parcels of land require governmental permission, and that permission is conditioned upon dedicating part of the land to public use. Exactions have long been challenged as regulatory takings, and both federal and state courts look at these types of regulations with a heightened level of scrutiny due to the nature of exactions to remove a crucial element from the bundle of property rights associated with ownership of real property: the right to exclude. This column discusses a recent example of exactions jurisprudence applied in New York and goes on to compare that decision in …
Redevelopment Tools: Creating And Recreating Urban Centers, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Redevelopment Tools: Creating And Recreating Urban Centers, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
This article describes a number of the agencies, entities, and legal tools and techniques that are used today to redevelop or create urban centers of population and commerce.