MATTER OF EMMETT v. Town of Edmeston

Jun 8, 2004
Versions:2 N.Y.3d 817
2 N.Y. 817
814 N.E.2d 430
781 N.Y.S.2d 260
2004 N.Y. LEXIS 1383

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed, with costs.

Petitioners’ claims are directed at a Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) determination granting a variance. Petitioners cannot invoke the “relation back” doctrine (see CPLR 203 [b]) to avoid dismissal for failure to join the ZBA, a necessary party (see CPLR 1001, 1003). Use of the “relation back” doctrine requires “unity of interest” between the party in the proceeding and the nonparty (see Mondello v New York Blood Ctr.—Greater N.Y. Blood Program, 80 NY2d 219, 226 [1992]). Petitioners’ claim that the Town and the ZBA are united in interest must fail because a town and a zoning board of appeals are independent of each other where, as here, the ZBA is acting in its “administrative capacity independent from the Town Board” (Matter of Commeo, Inc. v Amelkin, 62 NY2d 260, 266 [1984]).

Chief Judge Kaye and Judges G.B. Smith, Ciparick, Rosenblatt, Graffeo, Read and R.S. Smith concur.

On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.4 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 NYCRR 500.4), order affirmed, with costs, in a memorandum.