Lee Lefkowitz achieved a significant legal victory for a developer seeking to redevelop a property in Tuckahoe. The developer purchased the site — an aging single-family home — with the intent to revitalize it, only to face unexpected resistance when the Village moved to landmark the property, restricting any modifications.
Zarin & Steinmetz navigated the developer through a series of municipal hurdles, including proceedings before the Historic Preservation Commission and the Village Board of Trustees, as well as multiple permitting processes. The firm vigorously contested the landmark designation and pursued every available avenue, seeking a certificate of appropriateness and, when that was denied, a certificate of hardship that would have permitted redevelopment despite the landmarking. At every stage, the Village refused.
The firm challenged the Village’s actions in court, arguing that the restrictions were improper and constituted an unconstitutional taking. The judge ruled entirely in the developer’s favor, striking down the landmark designation and clearing the path for redevelopment.
This decision reinforces the rights of property owners to fairly develop their land and prevents municipalities from using arbitrary landmarking to obstruct progress. With this ruling, the project can now move forward, bringing much-needed revitalization to the area.
See more in this News 12 segment, featuring Lee Lefkowitz.
