3800 WEST HENRIETTA ROAD INC v. NEW YORK STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY (2000)

 Supreme Court erred in declaring null and void the determination of respondent, New York State Liquor Authority (SLA), finding that petitioner violated section 53.1(s) of part 53 of the Rules of the SLA (9 NYCRR 53.1[s] ) (the Six-Foot Rule).   9 NYCRR 53.1(s) constitutes a valid exercise of SLA's statutory rule-making authority (see, Matter of Vanda Hodge Pub v. New York State Liq. Auth., 215 A.D.2d 35, 39-41, 634 N.Y.S.2d 152;  cf., Jay-Jay Cabaret v. State of New York, 215 A.D.2d 172, 626 N.Y.S.2d 130, lv. denied 87 N.Y.2d 802, 638 N.Y.S.2d 425, 661 N.E.2d 999, rearg. denied 87 N.Y.2d 918, 641 N.Y.S.2d 600, 664 N.E.2d 511).   Additionally, SLA's determination that petitioner violated 9 NYCRR 53.1(s) is supported by substantial evidence (see, 300 Gramatan Ave. Assocs. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 180, 408 N.Y.S.2d 54, 379 N.E.2d 1183), and the penalty imposed is not shocking to one's sense of fairness (see, Matter of Pell v. Board of Educ., 34 N.Y.2d 222, 233-234, 356 N.Y.S.2d 833, 313 N.E.2d 321).   Consequently, we reverse the judgment and dismiss the petition.

Judgment unanimously reversed on the law without costs and petition dismissed.

MEMORANDUM: