Z&S Successfully Defends Determination in Favor of Permitting Residential Facility in Mount Pleasant
Having successfully pursued approvals from the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (“OPWDD”) to establish a Padavan community residence in the Town of Mt. Pleasant for six adults with developmental disabilities – which approval followed a full-day evidentiary hearing before an OPWDD administrative hearing officer – David Steinmetz and Jody Cross again […]
Z&S Successfully Defends Appeal Challenging Approval for Hotel
After representing a private developer before the ZBA and Planning Board and successfully obtaining approvals for two hotel pads in the Town of New Windsor in Orange County, Z&S Partner Jody Cross went on to represent the developer and prevail in an Article 78 proceeding challenging those approvals – both in the lower court and […]
Jacob Amir Prevails at Trial and Appeal in Action to Set Aside Fraudulent Deed
Jacob Amir obtained a favorable decision in the Appellate Division, Second Department, which affirmed a decision after trial in the Westchester County Supreme Court. The trial Court decision granted judgment to Z&S’s clients, who are shareholders of a corporation seeking to restore its ownership interest in a large developable residential parcel. After substituting into the action […]
Z&S Secures Dismissal of Challenge to Town of Poughkeepsie’s Vehicle Fueling Station Floating Zone
David Cooper and Jody Cross obtained a Decision and Order granting a motion to dismiss in a lawsuit challenging the Town of Poughkeepsie’s adoption of a new floating overlay district regulating gas stations. The lawsuit was commenced by a property owner that had obtained approvals in 2015 to operate a gas station, but let them […]
Lee Lefkowitz to Moderate Discussion of New York’s Housing Crisis
Lee Lefkowitz will be moderating a CLE, hosted by the New York State Bar Association, to discuss New York’s housing crisis. Lee will be joined by a panel comprising representatives from state government, local government, and advocacy groups, to discuss the nature of the crisis and potential solutions to alleviate New York’s lack of affordable […]
Jody Cross & Jacob Amir Close $6.8m Residential Development Deal
Jody and Jacob closed an approximately $6.8 million purchase of 113 acres of undeveloped land in the Town of Kent in Putnam County on behalf of a developer client. The property is approved for up to 150 new residences. The closing culminated a four-year transaction. Jody negotiated the purchase agreement and managed the multifaceted land […]
Z&S Successfully Defeats Summary Judgment in Mechanic’s Lien Case
Lee Lefkowitz and Jaclyn Cohen successfully defended a summary judgment motion brought by a plaintiff trying to foreclose on a mechanic’s lien against one of Z&S’s clients concerning a residential development in Scarsdale. Hon. Nancy Quinn Koba of the Supreme Court Westchester County agreed with Z&S’s argument that the plaintiff failed to offer sufficient facts […]
Lee Lefkowitz Successfully Defends a Property Owner by Relying on “Anti-SLAPP” Legislation in Lawsuit Brought by Neighbor
Judge Hal Greenwald granted Z&S’s motion to dismiss, which resolved the case in their client’s favor, before any discovery commenced or any answer to the Complaint was filed. Z&S primarily argued that the case was an illegal “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation,” under New York State’s new “Anti-SLAPP” legislation, which prohibits lawsuits focused on stifling […]
Jacob Amir secures approval from Pound Ridge for Innovative Artist-in-Residence Studio
Jacob Amir recently secured site plan approval from the Town of Pound Ridge Planning Board for the construction of an innovative art studio as part of the Oberon Foundation for the Arts’ new Artist-in-Residence Program. Designed by Steven Holl Architects, a world-renowned firm whose projects have included the Terezin Ghetto Museum in the Czech Republic […]
NY Law Journal Expert Analysis Column Features David Cooper’s Article on the State’s Housing Crisis
In the March 9, 2023 edition of the New York Law Journal’s Expert Analysis Section, David reviews various approaches municipalities can use to combat the housing crisis in New York. As many demographic studies and public policy groups have documented, New York is losing a large portion of its workforce as young professionals and others […]
