X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER A ppeal from that part of an order of the Supreme Court (McDonough, J.), entered June 16, 2020 in Albany County, which denied defendant’s motion to dismiss the public nuisance and negligence causes of action and the class allegations in the amended complaint. MICHAEL LYNCH, PRESIDING JUSTICE Defendant operates the Colonie Landfill located near the banks of the Mohawk River in Albany County, which is owned by the Town of Colonie (see Matter of Town of Waterford v. New York State Dept. of Envtl. Conservation, 187 AD3d 1437, 1438 [2020]). Plaintiff — a resident of the City of Waterford, Saratoga County — commenced this action on behalf of herself and a proposed class of all “owners[,] occupants and renters of residential property” within two miles of the landfill, asserting claims for public nuisance and negligence. The amended complaint alleged that the landfill was emitting noxious odors that were “substantially interfer[ing] with rights common to the general public, including the right to uncontaminated and/or unpolluted air.” It further alleged that plaintiff and the putative class members had suffered “special injur[ies] as compared with the impacts of the community at large” insofar as the odors were substantially interfering with the “use and enjoyment of [their] propert[ies]” and had resulted in a diminution in their property values. The negligence claim was premised upon the same allegations and relied upon the same asserted injuries. Defendant moved to dismiss the complaint pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (7),1 arguing, as relevant here, that plaintiff’s allegations did not state legally cognizable claims under New York law. Supreme Court, among other things, denied so much of defendant’s motion as sought dismissal of the public nuisance and negligence claims, finding that plaintiff stated legally viable causes of action. Defendant appeals. The parties acknowledge that the legal issues presented here are identical to the issues presented in Davies v. S.A. Dunn & Co., LLC (___ AD3d ___ [decided herewith]). For the reasons articulated therein, we conclude that plaintiff has not stated legally cognizable claims for public nuisance or negligence and, accordingly, they must be dismissed. Pritzker, Reynolds Fitzgerald and Colangelo, JJ., concur. Aarons, J. (dissenting). For reasons stated in my dissent in Davies v. S.A. Dunn & Co., LLC (___ AD3d ___ [Aarons, J., dissenting] [decided herewith]), I would affirm. ORDERED that the order is modified, on the law, with costs to defendant, by reversing so much thereof as denied defendant’s motion to dismiss; motion granted in its entirety; and, as so modified, affirmed. Dated: October 21, 2021

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
May 23, 2024
London

Celebrate outstanding achievement in law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments and alternative business structures.


Learn More
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More

Associate attorney position at NJ Immigration Law firm: Leschak & Associates, LLC, based in Freehold, NJ, is looking for a full time ass...


Apply Now ›

Company Description CourtLaw Injury Lawyers is an established Personal Injury Law Firm with its primary office located in Perth Amboy, New J...


Apply Now ›

Black Owl Recruiting is looking for a number of qualified applicants to fill positions for a highly reputable client. Recent experience work...


Apply Now ›
04/29/2024
The National Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›