Morris Motel, LLC v. DeChance

199 A.D.3d 687

153 N.Y.S.3d 897 (Mem)

In the Matter of MORRIS MOTEL, LLC, petitioner,

v.Paul M. DECHANCE, etc., et al., respondents.

2018–05772

Index No. 4664/17

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.

Argued—October 12, 2021

November 3, 2021

Frederick P. Stern, P.C., Nesconset, NY, for appellant.

Annette Eaderesto, Town Attorney (Deirdre Cicciaro of counsel), Brookhaven, NY, for respondents.

HECTOR D. LASALLE, P.J., LEONARD B. AUSTIN, PAUL WOOTEN, JOSEPH A. ZAYAS, JJ.

DECISION & JUDGMENT

Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 to review a determination of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Brookhaven dated July 31, 2017. The determination, after a hearing, denied the petitioner's application for certain area variances.

ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, the petition is denied, and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, with costs.

The Supreme Court should have disposed of this proceeding on the merits instead of transferring it to this Court pursuant to CPLR 7804(g) (see id. § 7803[4]; Matter of Towers v. Weiss, 131 A.D.3d 621, 621–622, 14 N.Y.S.3d 918 ; Matter of Halperin v. City of New Rochelle, 24 A.D.3d 768, 769–770, 809 N.Y.S.2d 98 ). Nevertheless, in the interest of judicial economy, we will determine the issues raised on the merits (see Matter of Towers v. Weiss, 131 A.D.3d at 622, 14 N.Y.S.3d 918 ; Matter of M & V 99 Franklin Realty Corp. v. Weiss, 124 A.D.3d 783, 784, 3 N.Y.S.3d 51 ).

When a zoning board of appeals makes a determination of whether to grant an area variance to an applicant, the zoning board is required to engage in a balancing test, weighing the benefit of the grant to the applicant against the detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the neighborhood or community if the variance is granted (see Matter of Pecoraro v. Board of Appeals of Town of Hempstead, 2 N.Y.3d 608, 612, 781 N.Y.S.2d 234, 814 N.E.2d 404 ; Matter of Ifrah v. Utschig, 98 N.Y.2d 304, 307, 746 N.Y.S.2d 667, 774 N.E.2d 732 ; Matter of Sasso v. Osgood, 86 N.Y.2d 374, 384, 633 N.Y.S.2d 259, 657 N.E.2d 254 ). Pursuant to Town Law § 267–b(3)(b), the zoning board must consider the following factors when making its determination: "(1) whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or a detriment to nearby properties will be created by the granting of the area variance; (2) whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method, feasible for the applicant to pursue, other than an area variance; (3) whether the requested area variance is substantial; (4) whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district; and (5) whether the alleged difficulty was self-created" (see Matter of Pecoraro v. Board of Appeals of Town of Hempstead, 2 N.Y.3d at 612–613, 781 N.Y.S.2d 234, 814 N.E.2d 404 ).

"Local zoning boards have broad discretion in considering applications for variances" ( Matter of Ifrah v. Utschig, 98 N.Y.2d at 308, 746 N.Y.S.2d 667, 774 N.E.2d 732 ). Accordingly, "[c]ourts may set aside a zoning board determination only where the record reveals that the board acted illegally or arbitrarily, or abused its discretion, or that it merely succumbed to generalized community pressure" ( Matter of Pecoraro v. Board of Appeals of Town of Hempstead, 2 N.Y.3d at 613, 781 N.Y.S.2d 234, 814 N.E.2d 404 ; see Matter of Muller v. Zoning Bd. of Appeals Town of Lewisboro, 192 A.D.3d 805, 807–808, 144 N.Y.S.3d 198 ).

Here, the determination denying the requested area variances was not arbitrary, irrational, or an abuse of discretion. The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Brookhaven (hereinafter the Board) engaged in the required balancing test and considered the relevant statutory factors (see Matter of Pecoraro v. Board of Appeals of Town of Hempstead, 2 N.Y.3d at 614, 781 N.Y.S.2d 234, 814 N.E.2d 404 ). The record supports...