Source: https://ecode360.com/7959062
Timestamp: 2019-01-23 07:35:13
Document Index: 97906412

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 1', '§ 173', '§ 173']

Town of Irondequoit, NY Public Nuisances
Town of Irondequoit, NY
Ch 3 Architectural Review Committee
Ch 5 (Reserved)
Ch 12 Conservation Board
Ch 18 Community Development, Department of
Ch 20 Ethics
Ch 32 Local Laws, Adoption of
Ch 36 Meetings
Ch 40 Officers and Employees
Ch 44 Recreation and Community Services, Bureau of
Ch 46 Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
Ch 51 Procurement Policy
Ch 53 Public Safety, Department of
Ch 56 Public Works, Department of
Ch 69 Air Pollution
Ch 73 Ambulance Services
Ch 76 Amusement Centers and Devices
Ch 88 Bingo
Ch 91 Boats and Boating
Ch 93 Bow Hunt Program
Ch 94 Brush, Grass and Weeds
Ch 98 Building Construction and Fire Prevention
Ch 104 Buildings and Properties, Vacant and Unsafe
Ch 110 Christmas Tree Sales
Ch 115 Community Choice Aggregation Program
Ch 117 Community Residence Facilities
Ch 123 Environmental Quality Review
Ch 132 Firearms
Ch 136 Flood Damage Prevention
Ch 139 Food-Handling Establishments
Ch 142 Freshwater Wetlands
Ch 146 Games of Chance
Ch 149 Irondequoit Bay Harbor Management
Ch 157 Moratoriums
Ch 160 Noise
Ch 164 Town Property
Ch 165 Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers and Jewelry and Coin Exchange Dealers
Ch 167 Peddling and Soliciting
Ch 171 Plumbing
Ch 173 Public Nuisances
§ 173-1 Definitions.
§ 173-2 Public nuisances prohibited.
§ 173-3 Presumption of knowledge.
§ 173-4 Criminal convictions as presumption of existence of public nuisance.
§ 173-5 Other evidence of prohibited conduct as presumption of existence of public nuisance.
§ 173-6 Summons and complaint for civil action.
§ 173-7 Civil penalty.
§ 173-8 Permanent injunction.
§ 173-9 Closing of building, structure, or real property.
§ 173-10 Preliminary injunction.
§ 173-11 Temporary restraining order.
§ 173-12 Administrative hearing.
§ 173-13 Administrative remedies.
Ch 175 Records
Ch 177 Rental Properties
Ch 180 Sewers
Ch 192 Solid Waste
Ch 194 Special Events
Ch 196 Stormwater Management
Ch 198 Streets and Sidewalks
Ch 199 Rights-Of-Way
Ch 204 Subdivision of Land
Ch 206 Swimming
Ch 210 Taxation
Ch 214 Trees
Ch 219 Vehicles, Abandoned
Ch 222 Vehicles and Traffic
Ch 225 Vehicles, Storage of
Ch 228 Vehicles, Operation of
Ch 230 Littering
Ch 235 Zoning
Ch 236 Historic Preservation
Chapter 173 Public Nuisances
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Irondequoit 7-17-2007 by L.L. No. 3-2007. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Animals — See Ch. 79.
Building construction and fire prevention — See Ch. 98.
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 104.
Noise — See Ch.160.
Rental properties — See Ch.177.
Zoning — See Ch. 235.
The person or persons or entity or entities that are the owner or owners of record at the office of the Town Assessor of the property.
Includes, but shall not be limited to, any one or more of the following:
Any building, structure, or real property used for purposes of illegal use, possession, or distribution of a drug, controlled substance or marijuana as defined by the New York State Penal Law.
Any building, structure, or real property used for purposes of prostitution as defined by the New York State Penal Law.
Any building, structure, or real property used for purposes of indecency, obscene performances, and/or promotion of obscene materials as defined by the New York State Penal Law.
Any building, structure, or real property used for purposes of illegal gambling activity as defined in the New York State Penal Law.
Any building, structure, or real property used for the purpose of illegal possession, use, or sale of firearms or weapons as defined by the New York State Penal Law.
Any building, structure, or real property used for the purposes of illegal sale, manufacture, or consumption of alcoholic beverages as defined by the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
Any building, structure, or real property wherein there exists or has occurred a criminal nuisance as defined by the New York State Penal Law.
Any building, structure, or real property used for purposes of loitering as defined by the New York State Penal Law.
Any building, structure, or real property wherein there exists or has occurred any violation of the Code of the Town of Irondequoit, including but not limited to Chapter 79, Animals; Chapter 98, Building Construction and Fire Prevention; Chapter 160, Noise; Chapter 235, Zoning; and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, including the Property Maintenance Code of New York State.
Any building, structure, or real property wherein an occupant, guest, or business invitee commits criminal activities or other offenses involving assault, gang assault, harassment, or disorderly conduct, as said criminal activities are defined by the New York State Penal Law.
No owner, operator, manager, tenant, lessee, or other occupant of or visitor to a building, structure, or real property shall knowingly cause, conduct, maintain, permit, or allow the existence of a public nuisance at the building, structure, or real property.
Written notice delivered by the Town to the property owner, operator, manager, tenant, lessee, or other occupant of a building, structure, or real property by first-class, certified or registered U.S. Mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service on the owner, of any activity or activities constituting a public nuisance shall be prima facie evidence of knowledge of said public nuisance.
The existence of three or more criminal convictions for any of the activities set forth in the definition of "public nuisance" in § 173-1 at any building, structure, or real property within a two-year period prior to the commencement of a civil action and/or an administrative hearing shall be prima facie evidence of the existence of a public nuisance. For the purposes of this chapter, a "criminal conviction" shall be defined as the entry of a guilty plea to, and/or a verdict of guilty for, one or more counts set forth in an accusatory instrument.
The existence of three or more incidents of any of the following activities at any building, structure, or real property within a one-year period prior to the commencement of a civil action and/or an administrative hearing shall be prima facie evidence of the existence of a public nuisance:
Conviction for any of the activities set forth in the definition of a "public nuisance" in § 173-1 occurring on or in immediate proximity to the property.
Arrest for any of the activities set forth in the definition of a "public nuisance" in § 173-1 occurring on or in immediate proximity to the property.
Service of an accusatory instrument charging any of the activities set forth in the definition of "public nuisance" in § 173-1 occurring on or in immediate proximity to the property. For purposes of this chapter, "accusatory instrument" shall include, but is not limited to, any criminal information, misdemeanor, and/or felony complaint filed in a court of competent jurisdiction and/or, with regard to unfit, unsafe and/or fire-damaged buildings or structures on or in immediate proximity to the property, a notice of violation issued by the Town of Irondequoit Department of Community Development, the Town of Irondequoit Police Department, the Fire Marshal of the Town of Irondequoit, and/or other authorized entities or officials with jurisdiction in the Town.
Service of a search warrant on the building, structure, or real property where controlled substances, marijuana, and/or illegal firearms or weapons are seized.
The finding of illegal controlled substances or illegal firearms or weapons on the building, structure, or real property.
Investigative purchases of illegal drugs, controlled substances or marijuana on the building, structure, or real property by law enforcement agencies or their agents.
The Town Attorney or Attorney to the Town, as the case may be, may bring and maintain a civil action in the name of the Town to abate a public nuisance and shall commence the civil action by the filing of a summons and complaint in the manner required by the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules.
The summons and complaint shall name as defendants the building, structure, or real property by describing it by Tax Map number and/or street address and shall name as defendants one or more of the owners of the property.
The summons and complaint may also name as defendants any operator, manager, tenant, lessee or other occupant of the building, structure or real property.
The complaint shall allege the facts constituting the public nuisance.
The complaint shall be accompanied by affidavits demonstrating that the owner or his agent had notice from the Town of the existence of the nuisance and had an opportunity to abate the nuisance.
The venue of the action shall be in any court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the public nuisance is being conducted, maintained, permitted or allowed.
In rem jurisdiction over the building, structure, or real property shall be completed by affixing the summons to the building, structure, or real property and by mailing the summons and complaint by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the owner.
Defendants other than the building, structure or real property shall be served with the summons and complaint in the manner required by the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules.
With respect to any action commenced or to be commenced, the Town may file a notice of pendency pursuant to the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules.
If, upon the trial of an action for a civil nuisance or upon a motion for summary judgment, a finding is made that any defendant has caused, conducted, maintained, permitted, or allowed a public nuisance, a penalty may be awarded by the court in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day it is found that such defendant caused, conducted, maintained, permitted, or allowed the public nuisance after notice to abate same had been given by the Town. Upon recovery, such penalty shall be paid to the Town general fund.
If, upon the trial of an action for a public nuisance or upon a motion for summary judgment, a finding is made that the defendants have caused, conducted, maintained, permitted, or allowed a public nuisance, in addition to any other right, remedy, recovery, award or judgment to which the Town may be entitled under this chapter or other applicable law, a permanent injunction against the same may be issued by the court. Any such permanent injunction may include, among other things, one or more of the following:
A prohibition against defendants from causing, conducting, maintaining, permitting or allowing the public nuisance.
An authorization to the Town and its agents to remove and correct any conditions in violation of the Code of the Town of Irondequoit. The judgment may further order that the costs incurred by the Town for removing and correcting the violations, plus an administrative charge of 50% as compensation to the Town for administering, supervising, and/or handling such work, shall be charged against the defendants and awarded to the Town. Such costs of removing and correcting the violations, plus such administrative charge, shall constitute a lien against the real property and shall be collected in the same manner provided by law for the collection of real property taxes within the Town.
A judgment directing the closing of the building, structure, or real property by the Town of Irondequoit Police Department, to the extent necessary to abate the nuisance.
A judgment awarding a permanent injunction shall provide for all costs and disbursements allowed by the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules and for the actual costs, expenses, and disbursements of the Town in investigating, bringing and maintaining the action.
If the judgment of the court directs the closing of the building, structure, or real property, the Town of Irondequoit Police Department shall serve the judgment upon the defendants in the manner required by the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules and shall post a copy of the judgment upon one or more of the doors at entrances to the building, structure, or real property or in any other conspicuous place on the building, structure, or real property.
In addition, the Town of Irondequoit Police Department shall affix upon one or more of the doors at entrances to the building, structure, or real property a printed notice stating "CLOSED BY COURT ORDER" in block lettering a minimum of four inches high with a minimum of 1/2 inch stroke width so as to be readily observed by anyone intending to enter the premises.
Mutilation or removal of such posted judgment or notice while it remains in force will be considered a separate violation under the New York State Penal Law and the Code of the Town of Irondequoit and shall be punishable pursuant to § 1-16.
The Town of Irondequoit Police Department may then command any and all persons present in the building, structure, or real property to vacate the property forthwith. After the building, structure or real property has been vacated, the Town of Irondequoit Police Department may secure the premises.
The closing directed by the judgment shall be for such period as the court may direct, but in no event shall the closing be for a period of more than one year from the posting of the judgment.
A closing by the Town of Irondequoit Police Department shall not constitute an act of possession, ownership, or control by the Town.
Upon a motion for a permanent injunction or order to show cause by the Town and pending an action for a permanent injunction, a preliminary injunction enjoining the public nuisance may be granted for any of the relief obtainable by a permanent injunction.
Pending a motion or an order to show cause for a preliminary injunction, a temporary restraining order or a temporary closing order may be granted, without notice to defendants, for any of the relief obtainable by a permanent injunction.
Whenever there is prima facie evidence of a public nuisance at any building, structure, or real property within the Town, the Town Attorney or Attorney to the Town, as the case may be, may initiate an administrative hearing.
Service of notice. A notice of the hearing shall be served on all owners and may also be served on any known tenants or lessees or other occupants of the building. The notice shall be served in the manner required by the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules.
Content of notice. The notice shall allege the facts constituting the public nuisance. The notice shall further contain a time and place for a hearing to be held before a panel.
Hearing panel. The panel shall consist of a member to be appointed by the Director of Community Development, a member to be appointed by the Chief of Police, and a member to be appointed by the Fire Marshal. Each appointing authority shall be authorized to appoint himself or herself or any member of his or her staff to the hearing panel.
Hearing. At the time and place designated in the notice, the Town Attorney or Attorney to the Town, as the case may be, or his or her designee shall present all relevant evidence and/or witnesses demonstrating the existence of a public nuisance at the building, structure, or real property and as to any appropriate remedies. The owners, or their representatives, shall have the right to examine such evidence and to cross-examine any witnesses presented by the Town Attorney or Attorney to the Town, as the case may be, or his or her designee. The owners, or their representatives, shall have the right to present any relevant evidence and/or witnesses in their defense. The Town Attorney or Attorney to the Town, as the case may be, or his or her designee, shall have the right to examine such evidence and to cross-examine any witnesses presented by the owners, or their representatives.
Panel's finding and recommendation: Within five business days of the hearing, the panel shall provide written findings of fact to the Town Board. Such written findings shall state whether there prima facie evidence exists of a public nuisance at the building, structure, or real property and shall further provide a written recommendation of remedies to abate the public nuisance.
The Town Board, upon receipt of a finding of fact and recommendation from the panel, shall have the following powers in furtherance of the abatement of public nuisances:
To issue a decision and order suspending or revoking, for a period not to exceed one year, the certificate of occupancy and/or certificate of registration of a rental occupancy and/or rental dwelling unit pursuant to Chapter 177 of the Code of the Town of Irondequoit, if applicable, for the building, structure, or real property.
To issue a decision and order directing the closing of the building, structure, or real property by the Irondequoit Police Department to the extent necessary to abate the nuisance, pursuant to the procedures set forth above in § 173-9.
In conjunction with, or in lieu of, the foregoing powers, to issue a decision and order that various measures be taken by the owner, tenant, and/or lessee of the property to the extent necessary to both abate the existing nuisance and ensure the prevention of future nuisance activity from occurring at or near the property, which shall include, but not be limited to, requiring the owner to modify and improve the usage and features of the premises to deter further and future nuisance activity; mandating compliance with all applicable building, housing, and property maintenance codes and regulations pursuant to the Code of the Town of Irondequoit and/or the laws of New York State; and/or directing subsequent owners to comply with the provisions of any issued order of revocation or suspension for the certificate of occupancy and/or certificate of registration of a rental occupancy and/or rental dwelling unit unless or until the subsequent owner appears before the hearing panel to provide an appropriate plan for the panel to review and make recommendations thereon, wherein said plan shall set forth measures to avoid further incidents of nuisance activity.
The decision and order shall be served upon the owners and, at the election of the Town, any tenant and/or lessee or the property in a manner similar to that described in § 173-12A herein.
Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Town Board to take such other and further actions and to avail itself and the Town of any right or remedy available to it under this chapter or otherwise under the Town of Irondequoit Code or other applicable law deemed necessary or appropriate to abate any public nuisance so as to ensure the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public.