X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Christopher A. Amato, Johnsburg, and Todd D. Ommen, White Plains, for Petitioners-Appellants. Letitia James, Attorney General, Albany (Lucas C. McNamara of Counsel), for Respondent-Respondent. Appeal from a judgment (denominated order) of the Supreme Court, Oneida County (Bernadette T. Clark, J.), entered September 20, 2022, in a proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78. The judgment dismissed the petition. It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: Petitioners commenced this proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 seeking, inter alia, to annul the determination of respondent Adirondack Park Agency (APA) conditionally approving the application of respondent Red Rock Quarry Associates, LLC (Red Rock) for a major project permit in connection with a granite mining project located within the Adirondack Park. In their petition, petitioners asserted a single cause of action in which they alleged, inter alia, that it was arbitrary and capricious for the APA to conditionally approve the application and issue the permit without first holding a public hearing. Supreme Court dismissed the petition, and petitioners now appeal. We affirm. Petitioners contend that they submitted evidence to the APA warranting a public hearing on Red Rock’s application pursuant to Executive Law § 809 (3) (d) and 9 NYCRR 580.2 and that, in light of such evidence, the APA acted arbitrarily and capriciously in declining to hold a public hearing. We reject that contention. Our review of the APA’s determination is “limited to whether the . . . determination was irrational, arbitrary and capricious or contrary to law” (Matter of Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve v. New York State Adirondack Park Agency, 34 NY3d 184, 191 [2019]; see Matter of Town of Marilla v. Travis, 151 AD3d 1588, 1589 [4th Dept 2017]). Although “[a]n agency acts arbitrarily and capriciously when it fails to conform to its own regulations” (St. Joseph’s Hosp. Health Ctr. v. Department of Health of State of N.Y., 247 AD2d 136, 155 [4th Dept 1998], lv denied 93 NY2d 803 [1999]), “[a]n agency’s interpretation of its own regulations is entitled to deference if that interpretation is not irrational or unreasonable” (Matter of IG Second Generation Partners L.P. v. New York State Div. of Hous. & Community Renewal, Off. of Rent Admin., 10 NY3d 474, 481 [2008] [internal quotation marks omitted]). Contrary to petitioners’ contention, the record supports the APA’s determination that there were no “substantive and significant” issues with respect to whether the project would have an “undue adverse impact on the natural, scenic, aesthetic, ecological, wildlife, historic, recreational or open space resources” of the Adirondack Park (Executive Law § 809 [3] [d]; [10] [e]). We thus conclude that the APA did not act in an arbitrary or capricious manner in declining to conduct a public hearing before issuing the permit (see generally Executive Law § 809 [3] [d]; 9 NYCRR 580.2). Where, as here, an “agency’s determination has a rational basis, it will be sustained, even if a different result would not be unreasonable” (Matter of Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve v. New York State Adirondack Park Agency, 161 AD3d 169, 176 [3d Dept 2018], affd 34 NY3d 184 [2019] [internal quotation marks omitted]). Petitioners further contend that the actions of the APA were arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law because the APA staff presentation with respect to the determination whether to conduct a public hearing was biased. Contrary to petitioners’ contention, however, there is no indication in the record that the APA “failed to make an informed decision based upon an independent appraisal of the evidence” (Matter of Gurin v. Utica Mun. Hous. Auth., 208 AD3d 1591, 1592 [4th Dept 2022]). Finally, petitioners contend that the APA fabricated its own standard for determining whether to conduct a public hearing. Petitioners, however, did not raise that issue in the petition, and therefore it is not properly before us (see Matter of Onondaga Ctr. for Rehabilitation & Healthcare v. New York State Dept. of Health, 211 AD3d 1514, 1516 [4th Dept 2022], lv denied 40 NY3d 902 [2023]; Matter of Westside Grocery & Deli, LLC v. City of Syracuse, 211 AD3d 1551, 1552-1553 [4th Dept 2022]).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More

We are seeking two attorneys with a minimum of two to three years of experience to join our prominent and thriving education law practice in...


Apply Now ›

Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening in the New York office for a Real Estate Litigation Associate with three to six years of commerci...


Apply Now ›

Downtown NY property and casualty defense law firm seeks a Litigation Associate with 3+ years' experience to become a part of our team! You ...


Apply Now ›