Suburban strip malls have been a staple of Long Island’s retail identity – convenient, accessible, and often anchored by big-name national chains. But, as retail trends evolve and those anchor tenants face uncertainty and for some, extinction, these once thriving
Latest from Long Island Land Use and Zoning
Restrictive Covenants: The Devil Is in the Details…
Restrictive covenants are common conditions of zoning approvals. Municipal boards typically require applicants to record restrictive covenants as a condition of approval. These restrictive covenants are drafted to “run with the land,” meaning the covenants automatically transfer with the property.
Legislation Introduced Aiming to Prohibit Tax Exemptions for Not-for-Profit Properties in Violation of Zoning Laws
On March 3, 2025, Senate Bill S584, sponsored by Sen. James Skoufis, was introduced to the NYS Senate during the 2025-26 NYS Legislative Session (the “Bill”). The Bill aims to amend paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 420-a (“420-a”)
Hybrid Highlights: Avoiding the Pitfalls of a Land Use Litigation Technique
All civil judicial proceedings must be in the form of an action – unless otherwise authorized by statute, i.e. in the form of a special proceeding (see CPLR 103[b]). While most lawsuits are brought solely in the form of either
Empowering Long Island’s Future: Nature Conservancy Supports Local Conservation Efforts
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global environmental nonprofit founded in 1951, is offering grants of up to $50,000 across Long Island and New York State to support conservation and climate adaptation initiatives, with a focus on projects that protect lands
Critical End-of-Year Veto for Legislation Impacting Industrial Development Agencies
Amidst the holidays and end-of-year scramble, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation that would have required Industrial Development Agencies to have school district and labor union representatives on their governing board and/or board of directors.
Industrial Development Agencies,
New York Retail’s New Frontier: The Shift from Leasing to Owning Space in a Changing Market
It is no secret that the retail market has faced significant challenges over recent years. With the rise in e-commerce came a prediction of the decline of the brick and mortar retail store. This prediction was reinforced with major retail
The Importance of Filing a Notice of Claim Against A Village: CPLR 9802 – A Trap for the Unwary Litigator
Failing to file a notice of claim pursuant to Civil Practice Law and Rules (“CPLR”) Section 9802 can become a trap for the unwary litigator who commences a hybrid proceeding-action (Article 78 claim(s) combined with plenary cause(s) of action) or
Understanding Good-Guy Guaranties: What Every Landlord and Tenant Should Know
The good-guy guaranty is a commonly used form of security in the field of commercial leasing. Despite appearing straightforward, the fundamentals of a good-guy guaranty are often misunderstood by landlords, tenants and brokers. Failing to understand the implications of a
A (title) Change Is Gonna Come
The Upcoming 7th Revision to the Title Insurance Rate Service Association (TIRSA) Rate Manual is effective on October 1, 2024
What is TIRSA?
The Title Insurance Rate Service Association (TIRSA) is an organization licensed by the New York State Department