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Zoning, Environmental, and Land-Use

On Eastern Long Island and elsewhere in New York, real estate planning and development can be a complex process involving multiple levels of zoning, environmental, and other regulatory land-use applications and permits, such as:

  • variance and special permit applications to municipal zoning boards of appeal
  • subdivision and site plan applications to municipal planning boards
  • architectural and historic preservation applications
  • wetlands and waterways applications to the N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps., and 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)

Esseks, Hefter & Angel, LLP 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. The firm's attorneys work with applicants and their consultants to formulate plans for developing properties, and they appear before the municipal boards that preside over the applications. 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 more than thirty years. If a governmental permit or a denial is subsequently challenged, the firm also represents applicants, neighbors, and municipalities in the appropriate courts.