Lee Lefkowitz Successfully Defends a Property Owner by Relying on “Anti-SLAPP” Legislation in Lawsuit Brought by Neighbor
Judge Hal Greenwald granted Z&S’s motion to dismiss, which resolved the case in their client’s favor, before any discovery commenced or any answer to the Complaint was filed. Z&S primarily argued that the case was an illegal “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation,” under New York State’s new “Anti-SLAPP” legislation, which prohibits lawsuits focused on stifling […]
Jacob Amir secures approval from Pound Ridge for Innovative Artist-in-Residence Studio
Jacob Amir recently secured site plan approval from the Town of Pound Ridge Planning Board for the construction of an innovative art studio as part of the Oberon Foundation for the Arts’ new Artist-in-Residence Program. Designed by Steven Holl Architects, a world-renowned firm whose projects have included the Terezin Ghetto Museum in the Czech Republic […]
NY Law Journal Expert Analysis Column Features David Cooper’s Article on the State’s Housing Crisis
In the March 9, 2023 edition of the New York Law Journal’s Expert Analysis Section, David reviews various approaches municipalities can use to combat the housing crisis in New York. As many demographic studies and public policy groups have documented, New York is losing a large portion of its workforce as young professionals and others […]
Z&S Obtains Rezoning of Village Center in Piermont, Clearing Way for 14-Unit Residential Building
David Steinmetz and Lee Lefkowitz successfully obtained a discretionary rezoning of a large area at the center of the Village of Piermont’s downtown – the first step towards revitalizing a long-vacant and prominent parcel at the main entry-point to the Village. This clears the way for redevelopment of that site with the client’s proposed 14-unit […]
Jacob Amir to Moderate WCBA CLE: “Owners vs Contractors in Mechanic’s Lien Claims: Who Will Win?”
On March 21, Jacob Amir will be moderating a CLE program through the Westchester County Bar Association, entitled “Owners vs Contractors in Mechanic’s Lien Claims: Who Will Win?” Jacob will be guiding a back-and-forth discussion between attorneys on critical issues owners and contractors face when dealing with mechanic’s lien. Jacob is co-chair of the Construction […]
Jody Cross Kicks-Off New 33-Unit Project in Peekskill
Jody Cross, together with JMC Site Development Consultants, received favorable feedback from the Peekskill Common Council for a new multifamily project proposed by Peekskill Views LLC in the City of Peekskill. The Peekskill Views Project would include 33, 3-bedroom townhomes on a 13-acre site on Frost Lane. The Project also proposes recreation amenities such as […]
Z&S Successfully Defends ZBA Challenge to Multifamily Housing Project
Dan Richmond and Lee Lefkowitz obtained the unanimous denial of an appeal by the Village of Monroe Planning Board to the Village of Monroe Zoning Board of Appeals, which sought to challenge certain aspects of the implementation of a 34-unit multifamily project. The appeal, which was in unusual fashion brought by another of the Village’s […]
Z&S Gets SEQRA Claims Dismissed from Challenge to Multifamily Housing Project
Dan Richmond, Lee Lefkowitz, and Kasey Brenner obtained the dismissal of challenges under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to the Town of Ramapo Planning Board’s site plan and subdivision approvals for the 224-unit Pascack Ridge Project. In a Decision and Order, dated January 17, 2023, the Honorable Paul Marx adopted Z&S’s argument that […]
Daniel Richmond and Kate Feinman secure $1,677,000 in funding from the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Daniel Richmond and Kate Feinman have secured $1,677,000 in funding from the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) for a new mixed-use development project at 49 West Broad Street in the Village of Haverstraw. The funds will be used to redevelop the currently blighted site with a new 5-story mixed-use building hosting 55 residential […]
Final Approvals Obtained for 15-Story Mixed-Use Building Next to the Port Chester Train Station

On November 28th, David Cooper and Brian Sinsabaugh, along with a consultant team of DTS Provident, Bowman Engineering and Lessard Architects, secured unanimous Site Plan Approval from the Port Chester Planning Commission in connection with a proposal to redevelop a 15-story apartment building. The development site includes eight adjoining lots along Broad and North Pearl […]