LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Fed Reserve Bank of NY - Percent in Foreclosure by Zip Code

To see the foreclosure percent throughout the Tri-State Region, click here.

The maps also show percents for 60 / 90 days in default.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Local Zoning Amendments Banning Fracking are Permitted

A recent case decided in Tompkins County ruled that local zoning amendments banning all activities relating to hydrofracking were not preempted by the Oil, Gas, and Solution Mining Law (OGSML). So, municipalities can ban fracking in their territories.

In the Tompkins County case, the Plaintiff, a company engaging in exploration of land for hydrofracking, brought an action against the Town of Dryden attacking their zoning amendment which banned hydrofracking. The Court determined that the State’s OGSML did not prevent the Town from creating local zoning ordinances banning hydrofracking.

This decision is particularly important because many NY municipalities have been amending their zoning regulations in response to their resident’s concerns about hydrofracking.

Remember to always keep yourself apprised of local zoning amendments in order to ensure the latest developments in your municipality because laws and regulations in real estate may change daily.

For further information about the case, see Anschutz Exploration Corporation v. Town of Dryden, 2012 WL 556172, Slip Op. 22037 (2012).

Tax Grievances - Suffolk residents should start thinking about it for 2012

Grievance days vary in the various Villages across Suffolk County, but for the Towns its the third Tuesday in May (May 15, 2012), so start checking your local municipalities and prepare your forms to reduce your real estate tax bill.

Nassau residents, you already missed the deadline this year of March 1, 2012, but you are now early for next year so don't forget about filing your grievance.

For more information about tax grievances in New York State, click here.