Opinion
07-05-2016
In re OTR MEDIA GROUP, et al., Petitioners–Appellants, v. BOARD OF STANDARDS AND APPEALS OF the CITY OF NEW YORK, et al, Respondents–Respondents.
Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP, Yonkers (Jeffrey D. Buss of counsel), for appellants. Zachary W. Carter, Corporation Counsel, New York (Brian T. Horan of counsel), for respondents.
Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP, Yonkers (Jeffrey D. Buss of counsel), for appellants.
Zachary W. Carter, Corporation Counsel, New York (Brian T. Horan of counsel), for respondents.
SWEENY, J.P., ACOSTA, FEINMAN, KAPNICK, KAHN, JJ.
Judgment (denominated a decision and order), Supreme Court, Bronx County (Alison Y. Tuitt, J.), entered November 23, 2015, denying the petition seeking to annul a resolution of respondent Board of Standards and Appeals of the City of New York (BSA), dated January 28, 2014, which affirmed respondent the New York City Department of Buildings' (DOB) determination denying petitioners' application to register a sign as a nonconforming advertising sign, and dismissing the proceeding brought pursuant to CPLR article 78, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Substantial evidence supports BSA's determination that the continuation of the nonconforming use of the sign as an advertising sign is prohibited because such nonconforming use was discontinued for more than two years, when it was replaced by an accessory sign beginning in 1981 (see NY City Zoning Resolution § 52–61; Matter of Toys “R” Us v. Silva, 89 N.Y.2d 411, 654 N.Y.S.2d 100, 676 N.E.2d 862 [1996] ). Petitioners' contention that Supreme Court erred in applying the substantial evidence standard is unavailing (see Matter of SoHo Alliance v. New York City Bd. of Stds. & Appeals, 95 N.Y.2d 437, 440, 718 N.Y.S.2d 261, 741 N.E.2d 106 [2000] ; Matter of Sasso v. Osgood, 86 N.Y.2d 374, 384 n. 2, 633 N.Y.S.2d 259, 657 N.E.2d 254 [1995] ). Nor is there any basis for disturbing BSA's determination to discredit affidavits submitted by petitioners, sworn in 2011 and 2013, which contradicted documents submitted in support of the accessory sign application that was granted by DOB in 1981.
Since the record shows that BSA's determination was supported by substantial evidence and had a rational basis, petitioners were not entitled to a hearing pursuant to CPLR 7804(h) (see Matter of St. Onge v. Donovan, 71 N.Y.2d 507, 519, 527 N.Y.S.2d 721, 522 N.E.2d 1019 [1988] ; cf. Matter of Church of Scientology of N.Y. v. Tax Commn. of City of N.Y., 120 A.D.2d 376, 501 N.Y.S.2d 863 [1st Dept.1986] [matter remanded for a full evidentiary hearing because the record was not sufficient to determine whether the respondent had acted arbitrarily and capriciously], appeal dismissed 68 N.Y.2d 807, 506 N.Y.S.2d 1038, 498 N.E.2d 438 [1986], lv. dismissed 69 N.Y.2d 659, 511 N.Y.S.2d 838, 503 N.E.2d 1375 [1986] ).
Petitioners' due process claim is unpreserved, and this Court has “no discretionary authority” to reach it in the interest of justice (Matter of Khan v. New York State Dept. of Health, 96 N.Y.2d 879, 880, 730 N.Y.S.2d 783, 756 N.E.2d 71 [2001] ; see Green v. New York City Police Dept., 34 A.D.3d 262, 263, 825 N.Y.S.2d 9 [1st Dept.2006] ).
We have considered petitioners' remaining contentions and find them unavailing.