Morris Motel, LLC v. DeChance

• Citation: 153 N.Y.S.3d 897 (Mem),199 A.D.3d 687
• Decision Date: 03 November 2021
• Docket Number: 2018–05772,Index No. 4664/17
• Parties: In the Matter of MORRIS MOTEL, LLC, petitioner, v. Paul M. DECHANCE, etc., et al., respondents.
• Court: New York Supreme Court Appellate Division

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...