A.J.P. Auto Sales Limited, Inc., et al., respondents, v. Peter Dejana, et al., appellants. (2012)

Argued—April 27, 2012

DECISION & ORDER

In an action pursuant to RPAPL article 20, inter alia, to determine claims to an easement and for injunctive relief, the defendants appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Feinman, J.), entered June 8, 2011, which, after a nonjury trial, among other things, is in favor of the plaintiffs and against them, enjoining the defendants from, inter alia, interfering with the plaintiffs' use of the subject easement.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

The plaintiffs and the defendants own neighboring parcels of real property.   The plaintiffs commenced this action pursuant to RPAPL article 20, inter alia, to determine their claims to an alleged easement over a certain portion of the defendants' property, as described in the deed conveying the burdened property to the defendants' predecessor-in-interest, and enjoining the defendants from interfering with the plaintiffs' use of the easement.   After a nonjury trial, the Supreme Court, among other things, determined that the plaintiffs established the existence of an easement and enjoined the defendants from, inter alia, interfering with the plaintiffs' use of the subject easement.

Contrary to the defendants' contentions, the plaintiffs established at trial the existence of an easement, as to which the defendants had notice in the defendants' recorded chain of title (see Corrarino v. Byrnes, 43 AD3d 421, 423;  Breakers Motel v. Sunbeach Montauk Two, 224 A.D.2d 473, 474).   Moreover, the Supreme Court correctly concluded that its prior orders denying the plaintiffs' motions for preliminary injunctive relief, did not constitute the law of the case (see J.A. Preston Corp. v. Fabrication Enters., 68 N.Y.2d 397, 402).

The defendants' remaining contention is without merit.

RIVERA, J.P., BALKIN, BELEN and CHAMBERS, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino

Clerk of the Court