You are here: / / THE ZONING BOARD’S DENIAL OF A USE VARIANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A...
, , ,

THE ZONING BOARD’S DENIAL OF A USE VARIANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION FACILITY WAS “ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS;” MATTER REMITTED FOR ISSUANCE OF THE VARIANCE (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Pritzker, determined petitioners were entitled to a use variance for the construction of a solar energy generation facility, finding the denial of the variance “arbitrary and capricious:”

… [R]espondent erred in failing to afford petitioners a reduced showing relative to their application as a public utility because of the project’s minimal impact … . That the project will have a minimal impact was not only recognized by Supreme Court, but also is fully supported by the evidence in the record, including the unanimous State Environmental Quality Review Act (see ECL art 8 [hereinafter SEQRA]) determination which found no significant environmental impacts … . * * *

… [O]ne cannot quarrel with the premise that New York State’s goal of transitioning to renewable energy is designed to benefit the public at large, and this project is in line with that goal … . * * *

… [P]etitioners’ submissions to respondent establish ” ‘that there are compelling reasons, economic or otherwise, which make it more feasible to [grant a use variance]’ ” than to use an alternative site … . Matter of Freepoint Solar LLC v Town of Athens Zoning Bd. of Appeals, 2024 NY Slip Op 06409, Third Dept 12-19-24

Practice Point: Consult this opinion for a rare rejection of an administrative finding as “arbitrary and capricious.” In light of the minimal environmental impact of a solar energy facility and the state policy supporting the transition to clean energy, the zoning board’s reasons for denying the use variance were deemed untenable.

 

You might also like
PURCHASER OF A MARINA DEMONSTRATED THE PRIOR OWNER OBTAINED TITLE TO THE DISPUTED LAKE BOTTOM RIGHTS BY ADVERSE POSSESSION (THIRD DEPT).
TERMINATION OF FATHER’S VISITATION RIGHTS WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY A SOUND AND SUBSTANTIAL BASIS IN THE RECORD, WHICH INCLUDED HEARSAY (THIRD DEPT).
No Employer-Employee Relationship—Agency Places Waiters and Bartenders with Clients for Catered Functions
WHEN THE MERITS OF A MOTION TO REARGUE ARE ADDRESSED THE DENIAL IS APPEALABLE; THE PERSONAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NOTICE OF SALE PURSUANT TO THE LIEN LAW WERE NOT MET, THEREFORE THE 10-DAY PERIOD FOR BRINGING A SPECIAL PROCEEDING TO CONTEST THE VALIDITY OF THE LIEN DID NOT START TO RUN (THIRD DEPT).
Petitioner Denied Right to Assistance of Counsel—Dismissal and Expungement Ordered
CLAIMANT DID NOT TRY TO HIDE THE DOG-WALKING BUSINESS AND WAS ONLY TANGENTIALLY INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS; THEREFORE THE EVIDENCE DID NOT SUPPORT THE CONCLUSION SHE HAD MADE A MATERIAL FALSE STATEMENT IN HER CLAIM FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS STEMMING FROM HER FORMER EMPLOYMENT AS A BARTENDER (THIRD DEPT).
BY THE TIME OF SENTENCING FOR CONTEMPT FOR FATHER’S WILLFUL VIOLATION OF A SUPPORT ORDER, FATHER HAD PAID ALL THE ARREARS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ORDERED HIS INCARCERATION (THIRD DEPT).
MOTION TO CONDITIONALLY SEAL RECORD OF A MISDEMEANOR DRUG CONVICTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND GRANTED.

Categories

Sign Up for the Mailing List to Be Notified When the Site Is Updated.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2026 New York Appellate Digest, Inc.
Site by CurlyHost | Privacy Policy

ALTHOUGH PLAINTIFF ALLEGED FRAUDULENT INDUCEMENT, THE ESSENCE OF THE LAWSUIT... PETITIONER CARE FACILITY WAS ENTITLED TO THE UNDERLYING DATA USED BY THE OFFICE...