Archive | Additional Allowances

WHEN A JUDGE GETS IT ABSOLUTELY RIGHT: Matter of Village of Haverstraw (AAA Electricians, Inc.)

Like many condemnation proceedings by small towns and villages, the Village of Haverstraw taking of some 19 acres owned by our client AAA Electricians, Inc. represented a severe example of eminent domain abuse. The vacant land was taken for the construction of luxury condominiums on the Hudson River.  By Decision and Order dated August 5, 2016, the Honorable Bruce E. Tolbert awarded the claimant $1,190,582 as an additional allowance pursuant to Section 701 of New York’s Eminent Domain Procedure Law. The case was litigated over a thirteen year period of… read more

Posted in Additional Allowances, Eminent Domain
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Court Grants This Firm 100% of Requested Attorney Fees and Awards $241,740.67

On November 24, 2015, Justice Wayne P. Saitta of the Supreme Court of New York, Richmond County, awarded this firm 100% of its requested attorney fees, pursuant to the New York Eminent Domain Procedure Law (“EDPL”) § 701, in the total amount of $241,740.67.  Matter of City of New York [New Creek Bluebelt, Phase 4 (Paolella)], 2015 NY Slip Op. 51735(U), 2015 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 4338 (Sup. Ct. Richmond County 2015). In this eminent domain proceeding, the City of New York (“City”) took our client’s property and made an advance… read more

Posted in Additional Allowances, Recent cases, Regulatory Taking, Wetlands
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Supreme Court of Florida Provides Reminder that Condemnor Must Pay Attorneys’ Fees as Just Compensation for its Excessive Litigation

We often discuss that attorneys’ fees are a necessary component of constitutional just compensation, especially when the condemnor excessively litigates, delays, and attempts to prevent the property owner from obtaining just compensation.  See New York Eminent Domain Procedure Law (“EDPL”) § 701; see also General Crushed Stone Co. v. State of New York, 93 N.Y.2d 23 (1999); Hakes v. State of New York, 81 N.Y.2d 392 (1993). On November 5, 2015, Florida’s highest court reiterated this fundamental necessity and held that “when a condemning authority engages in tactics that cause… read more

Posted in Additional Allowances, Eminent Domain Abuse
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EDPL SECTION 701: WHAT IS THE BASE FOR COMPARISON?

New York’s statute allowing reimbursement for legal and appraisal fees in eminent domain proceedings is Section 701 of the Eminent Domain Procedure Law.  The statute provides as follows: In instances where the order or award is substantially in excess of the amount of the condemnor’s proof and where deemed necessary by the court for the condemnee to achieve just and adequate compensation, the court, upon application notice, and opportunity for hearing, may in its discretion, award to the condemnee an additional amount, separately computed and stated, for actual and necessary… read more

Posted in Additional Allowances, Eminent Domain Abuse
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