On Eastern Long Island, real estate planning and development can be an unusually complex process involving multiple levels of zoning, environmental, and other regulatory land-use applications and permits.  Some of the required approvals can include

• interpretations, variances and special permits from zoning boards of appeal (ZBAs)
• subdivision and site plan approvals from town and village planning boards
• architectural and historic preservation approvals
•  wetlands, natural resource, and waterways applications to the N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation, Pine Barrens Commission, U.S. Army Corps., local conservation boards, and town trustees
• water and sanitary applications to the county’s health department and
• environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)

EHA represents landowners and municipalities involved in commercial and residential real estate development, from the planning stages through the application process, and in any ensuing litigation. Our attorneys work with applicants and their consultants to formulate plans for developing properties, and we appear before the presiding boards and agencies. Among the clients the firm represents in these types of administrative processes are individual homeowners, builders, residential and commercial subdividers, golf courses, country clubs, marinas, resorts, restaurants, farms, businesses, and educational and health care institutions. The firm has also served as special counsel to municipalities and their boards, including representing the Shelter Island Planning Board for nearly forty years. If a governmental permit or a denial is subsequently challenged, our litigation team will represent applicants, neighbors, and municipalities in the “Article 78” proceedings.