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IN RE: DeCARO CAPITAL INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC, et al., appellants, v. William VOEKLER, et al., respondents.
In a proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 to review a determination of the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Unincorporated Village of Malverne, dated May 27, 2004, which, after a hearing, inter alia, affirmed a decision of the Building Inspector denying the petitioners' application for a building permit, the petitioners appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Peck, J.), dated December 13, 2004, which denied the petition and dismissed the proceeding.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, with costs.
Local zoning boards have broad discretion (see Matter of Pecoraro v. Board of Appeals of Town of Hempstead, 2 N.Y.3d 608, 613, 781 N.Y.S.2d 234, 814 N.E.2d 404; Matter of Halperin v. City of New Rochelle, 24 A.D.3d 768, 771, 809 N.Y.S.2d 98), and judicial review is thus limited to determining whether the zoning board's action was arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion (see Matter of Fuhst v. Foley, 45 N.Y.2d 441, 444, 410 N.Y.S.2d 56, 382 N.E.2d 756; Matter of Mangan v. Cianciulli, 19 A.D.3d 598, 798 N.Y.S.2d 907).
Here, the denial by the respondent Board of Zoning Appeals of the Unincorporated Village of Malverne (hereinafter the Board) of the petitioners' application for a building permit on the ground that the proposed use was not permitted in the residential districts in which the property was located had a rational basis in the record and was not arbitrary or capricious (see Matter of Ifrah v. Utschig, 98 N.Y.2d 304, 308-309, 746 N.Y.S.2d 667, 774 N.E.2d 732; Matter of Sasso v. Osgood, 86 N.Y.2d 374, 384, 633 N.Y.S.2d 259, 657 N.E.2d 254; Matter of Taggart v. Tortora, 24 A.D.3d 456, 457, 805 N.Y.S.2d 127). The petitioners failed to establish that the proposed propane filling station was an accessory use to the permitted nursery/garden center. Thus, the Supreme Court properly declined to disturb the Board's determination (see Matter of Pecoraro v. Board of Appeals of Town of Hempstead, supra at 614-615, 781 N.Y.S.2d 234, 814 N.E.2d 404; Matter of Blake v. Planning Bd. of Town of Philipstown, 21 A.D.3d 486, 487, 799 N.Y.S.2d 746).
The petitioners' remaining contention is without merit.
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Decided: September 12, 2006
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.
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FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
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