IN RE: G.Z.T. INDUSTRIES INC. (1997)

Appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court (Torraca, J.), entered March 6, 1997 in Sullivan County, which dismissed petitioner's application, in a proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78, to, inter alia, review a determination of respondent Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Fallsburg granting a request by respondent Sullivan Properties Inc. for an area variance.

Petitioner, a neighboring landowner, challenges the municipal respondents' determinations granting respondent Sullivan Properties Inc. a variance and building permit, allowing the latter to renovate an existing building on its property and add gasoline pumps and a connecting canopy, for the purpose of utilizing the premises as a “food and fuel mart”.   Petitioner contends, inter alia, that respondent Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Fallsburg erroneously classified Sullivan's proposed use of the property as a “retail store”-a permitted use in the B-1 zone in which it is located-rather than a “gasoline service station”, for which a special permit is required.   According to petitioner, no building permit should have issued until the project was reviewed by respondent Planning Board of the Town of Fallsburg.   Supreme Court disagreed and dismissed the petition, prompting this appeal.

During the pendency of this appeal, petitioner took no steps to safeguard its interests by, e.g., seeking to temporarily enjoin the planned construction.   Inasmuch as the work encompassed by the building permit has been completed and a certificate of occupancy obtained, the appeal has been rendered moot (see, Matter of Fallati v. Town of Colonie, 222 A.D.2d 811, 813, 634 N.Y.S.2d 784;  Matter of Bytner v. City of Albany Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 211 A.D.2d 1000, 621 N.Y.S.2d 960).   Petitioner's assertion that some benefit may nevertheless be obtained by compelling Sullivan to complete the review process-for the purpose of determining whether additional environmental, health or safety issues should be addressed-despite the fact that the construction can no longer be prevented is unpersuasive (cf., Matter of Many v. Village of Sharon Springs Bd. of Trustees, 234 A.D.2d 643, 644, 650 N.Y.S.2d 486, lv. denied 89 N.Y.2d 811, 657 N.Y.S.2d 403, 679 N.E.2d 642;  Matter of Save the Pine Bush v. City Engr. of City of Albany, 220 A.D.2d 871, 872, 632 N.Y.S.2d 243, lv. denied 87 N.Y.2d 807, 641 N.Y.S.2d 598, 664 N.E.2d 509).

ORDERED that the appeal is dismissed, as moot, without costs.

YESAWICH, Justice.

CARDONA, P.J., and MIKOLL, CASEY and CARPINELLO, JJ., concur.