NEW YORK CITY LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

The Ins and Outs of Public Parking Garages in the Manhattan Core

All of us take for granted the availability of garage parking in Manhattan. Yet, the New York City Zoning Resolution regulates public parking garages under a very complex set of provisions. In commercial and manufacturing zoning districts, public parking garages are permitted as-of-right or by special permit, depending on the specific district and the size of the garage. However, within the Manhattan Core, which is defined as Manhattan south of 96th Street on the East Side and south of 110th Street on the West Side, public parking garages are governed by a separate set of regulations.

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Q&A WITH PARTNER JOHN CHRISTOPHER

In addition to his active municipal law, zoning and land use planning, real estate transactions and leasing, and landlord/tenant disputes practice, John Christopher is an active member of the Young Lawyers Section (YLS) of the NYSBA, where he currently holds the position of Chair-Elect. In this interview, John explains his dedication to the profession and his leadership role in the Young Lawyers Section.

How did you become involved with the Young Lawyers Section?
I have been a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Section since I was admitted to the Bar in 2007. However, I became actively involved when I attended a YLS half-day CLE program in 2010 during the NYSBA Annual Meeting in Manhattan. By chance, I sat next to a gentleman named Phillip Fortino. At that time, Phil was the Chair-Elect of the YLS. Phil invited me to join him at the YLS Executive Committee meeting after the CLE, so I did. Several months after that first meeting, I was appointed to the position of Co-Representative for the 10th Judicial District. The district representatives are really the boots on the ground for YLS throughout the state, since the Bar Association's headquarters are located in Albany. I held this position for several years, until I was elected to the position of Treasurer in June of 2015.

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CLIENT ADVISORY

"Your Neighbor's Fence is on Your Property"

By Chris J. Coschignano and Nicholas Cappadora

It is a situation that can exist for years without your knowledge, until you are under contract to sell your home. Your neighbor unknowingly installed a fence, paved their driveway, planted trees or shrubs, or erected a shed or other improvement on your side of the shared property line. An important legal issue now comes into play, in that a title company may refuse to insure title to the purchaser of your property unless the encroachment is removed so that you are no longer "out of possession" of your property.

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FIRM NEWS

Adam Koblenz Named as One of Long Island Business News' Top Millennials

Adam Koblenz will receive the Long Island Business News Millennial Award during a special ceremony on September 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

The Millennial Awards celebrates those between the ages of 19 and 35 and honors the bright, dynamic young professionals who are part of the millennial generation, who contribute to the Long Island community and who have made significant strides in business at a young age.

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Robert Abiuso Joins Board of St. John's Residence for Boys

Robert Abiuso, Counsel with the Firm, has been named Board Member of St. John's Residence for Boys in Rockaway Park, New York.

Mr. Abiuso concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury litigation, insurance and supplemental underinsured and uninsured motorist (SUM) litigation, defense of claims against property damage, criminal defense, real estate law and transactions and municipal claims litigation. Prior to joining the Firm, he maintained his own practice with offices in Babylon.

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Elaine Colavito Re-Elected Vice President Of Nassau County Women’s Bar Association

Elaine Colavito, an Associate with the Firm, was re-elected Vice President of the Nassau County Women's Bar Association (NCWBA) at the group's Installation Dinner on June 21. The term is for one year. She previously served as NCWBA's Treasurer and as a Member of its Board of Directors. As part of her duties, Ms. Colavito will be responsible for the organization's programs.

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Joshua D. Brookstein Joins NCBA’s Speakers Bureau and Lawyer in the Classroom Program

Joshua D. Brookstein, an Associate with the Firm, has become an active member of the Nassau County Bar Association, including its Speakers Bureau and its Lawyer in the Classroom program.

As part of Lawyer in the Classroom, he will visit classrooms, libraries and organizations in Nassau County to speak on various topics, including life as an attorney, the legal profession as a career, criminal law and the juvenile justice system. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Brookstein was an educator and an assistant principal.

OUT AND ABOUT

Firm Sponsors 2016 Marcum Workplace Challenge

The Firm was a supporting sponsor of the Marcum Workplace Challenge, which took place on July 26 at Jones Beach State Park. A large contingent of the Firm also participated in the 3.5-mile run/walk.

More than 9,100 participants from 223 local companies were in attendance. Participating organizations included businesses, non-profits and governmental agencies, representing almost every industry in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

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Adam Koblenz Co-Chairs Tennis Event at CMF's 41st Annual Golf & Tennis Classic

Adam H. Koblenz served as Tennis Co-Chair for the Children's Medical Fund of New York's 41st Annual Golf and Tennis Charity Classic, which was held at the Glen Oaks Club on June 20. He currently serves as Vice President of the Men's Division.

Mr. Koblenz has been involved in the CMF for many years, having also chaired "Cycle for CMF," which was held at Lifetime Fitness in Syosset, in 2013. Forty riders took part in the event, which raised over $10,000. The Firm was also a team sponsor.

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAW

Elaine Colavito's "Bench Briefs" Appears in Suffolk Lawyer

Elaine Colavito had her "Bench Briefs" column published in the June 2016 edition of The Suffolk Lawyer. "Bench Briefs" is a roundup of recent decisions from Suffolk County trial courts.

TO REVIEW THESE DECISIONS, CLICK HERE.

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Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC's Firm brochure, featuring the Firm's partners and practice areas.

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