Land Use

Appellate Division Reinstates Area Variance

Peter J. Weishaar

After the Brighton Zoning Board of Appeals (the “ZBA”) granted an area variance to construct an addition with less setback than required, neighbors successfully challenged the decision in an…

New SEQRA Regulations: Let’s Take a Hard Look

Peter J. Weishaar

The regulations implementing the State Environmental Quality Review Act—commonly known as SEQRA—were recently amended by the Department of Environmental Conservation. The newly revised…

Not In My Backyard! Why Neighbors Often Think Their Concerns Are Ignored

Peter J. Weishaar

It was a packed house in the town hall auditorium, as the planning board convened to consider a controversial application for site plan approval. As one of the neighbors concluded his remarks in…