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Archive | Condemnation

April 13, 2021

Special Benefits – Special Nonsense

In a very comprehensive decision, the Honorable John J. Leo discussed, among many legal issues, special benefits.  The decision, Freudenberger v County of Suffolk, Index No. 606055/16 (Suff. Co. April 5, 2021), the Court awarded $172,302 in a taking by the County on Fire Island for the reconstruction of Fire Island’s barrier beach and dune network.  The intent of the project was to protect the sand dunes by taking easements to construct flood hazard risk reduction measures.  The County’s total appraised damages for the 2,558 square feet of property was… read more

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Posted in Condemnation, Fire Island, General Benefits, Special Benefits
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April 1, 2021

An 800-Megawatt Surprise – Destroying a Community

One of the nice things about writing a blog is that your readers send you ideas for your next article.  This one is a doozey. There is an 800-megawatt hydroelectric project for New York which is proposed by Premium Energy Holdings of California.  The proposal calls for the Ashokan Reservoir water and its existing dam to be used as a lower reservoir in a pumped storage power plant facility. The project’s preliminary permit application is before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The reservoir proposal has been called “devastating.”  Local officials,… read more

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Posted in Condemnation, FERC, Hydroelectric Power Plant, Reservoir
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December 1, 2020

What Happens to Title of Real Estate Upon Condemnation?

Upon the vesting of title in a condemnation proceeding, all lien interests in the subject property by virtue of mortgages, unpaid taxes, or unsatisfied judgments are extinguished.  However, substituted in their place are equitable liens against the condemnation award to the extent of each lien and interest as of the date title vested.  County of Rockland v Kohl Industrial Park Co., 172 AD2d 607 (2d Dept 1991). There is, however, one lien which has a super priority.  The attorney who created the fund by litigation the condemnation claim has not… read more

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Posted in Attorney's Charging Lien, Condemnation, Equitable Ownership, Title
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November 20, 2020

Never Be Bound by What the Condemnor Declares in a Taking

We witness more and more State appropriations where the NYDOT declares on its appropriation map that the taking is “Temporary.”  Yet, after the filing of the map and ergo the appropriation, the State alters the land in such a way that it is severely damaged.  The new roadway may limit access onto the remainder; it may reduce parking, or otherwise permanently physically alter the property. The scope of an easement is generally determined by the four corners of the taking documents themselves.  LIRR v LILCO, 64 NY2d 1088, 1089 (1985). … read more

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Posted in Condemnation, Easements, Loss of Access, Partial Takings
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November 10, 2020

How Do I Get to The Beach?

The Hawaii Tribune Herald reported that the Hawaii County Council passed a resolution to take a portion of Papaikou property through eminent domain in order to provide public access to Mill Beach. An earlier attempt to condemn the access was dismissed on technical grounds. Hawaii law guarantees public access to the ocean and shorelines.  The owners will challenge the case. Beach access is a subject we follow closely.  I represent the Town of East Hampton as Special Counsel.  We are awaiting the decision of the Appellate Division, Second Department in… read more

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Posted in Beach Access, Condemnation, Title to Beach
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