Dennison v. State

48 Misc. 2d 778, 265 N.Y.S.2d 671, 1965 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 1236
CourtNew York Court of Claims
DecidedDecember 22, 1965
DocketClaim No. 42368
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 48 Misc. 2d 778 (Dennison v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Court of Claims primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Dennison v. State, 48 Misc. 2d 778, 265 N.Y.S.2d 671, 1965 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 1236 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1965).

Opinion

Henry W. Lengyel, J.

This is a claim for the appropriation of claimants’ land pursuant to section 30 of the Highway Law, which proceeding is described as Interstate Route 502-3-2. 3, F. I. S. H. (Luzerne Road-Lake George Interchange), Warren County, Map No. 315, Parcel No. 426; and Lake George Correction, F. I. S. H., Warren County, Map No. 3 R-l, Parcel No. 3. Map No. 315 was filed with the Warren County Clerk on February 7, 1962 and Map No. 3 R-l was filed with said County Clerk on February 26, 1962. By stipulation it was agreed that the [780]*780court would use February 7, 1962 as the initial appropriation date. The claim was filed with the Clerk of the Court of Claims and the Attorney-General on the 27th day of May, 1963, and hap not been assigned or submitted to any other court or tribunal for audit or determination. We adopt the descriptions of the appropriated property as shown on the maps and descriptions filed in the Warren County Clerk’s office.

Claimants were the owners of the property by reason of a deed dated May 15, 1953 and recorded in the Warren County Clerk’s office on the 16th day of May, 1953 in Liber 321 of Deeds at page 438.

We granted claimants’ motion to amend their claim by increasing their ad damnum clause from $39,250 to $45,250.

Before the appropriation the property consisted of 7.18± acres in the Town of Caldwell (now Town of Lake George). The area consisted of generally high and beautifully wooded and landscaped land. The west area of the property sloped downward sharply to the south and west and was largely covered with a natural stand of trees. The entire eastern section of the property was surrounded by many tall pine, maple, birch, oak, and fruit trees. There were no unsightly telephone or electric poles as all 'Services were underground. The lawn Avas entirely watered by an underground sprinkler system with 33 retractable sprayheads. A fast stream, which runs into Lake George, was one border of the property and was partly owned from bank to bank. The landscaping included exotic shrubs and trees. Many large shade trees bordered the lawns. A pine grove at the south end of the property protected the residence from the elements. A raspberry and asparagus garden, dwarf apple trees, quantities of flowering shrubs and bushes and a grape arbor were part of the landscaped area. The subject property was entirely secluded, quiet and peaceful. The residence was so placed on the land to take advantage of the tree screens and to create a gracious and secluded atmosphere. It AAras a colonial-type frame house with an over-all length of 121.5 ± feet. The main section of the house was built about 50 years ago and the north and south wings were added about 25 years later. There Avas a large screened porch attached to the eastern side of the house. This all-year round fully insulated house contained a beautifully panelled living room in rare butternut, approximately 21 feet by 31 feet, with an exposed beam ceiling, an extra large brick fireplace and three French doors opening onto a screened porch. There was a walk-in guest closet and partial indirect illumination. The dining room was 11 feet by 15 feet and had four windows and a French door opening into the porch. [781]*781At one end was an imported, solid hand-carved Italian marble fireplace and mantel. The kitchen, entirely modern and large, had a bnilt-in range with a copper hood, and exhaust fan, double sink, garbage disposal, an L-shaped breakfast bar and counter cabinet with high chromium bar stools and soft seats. There were ample steel and glass cabinets with self-contained fluorescent lights. Its decoration was most unusual with a tent-like ceiling and outdoor-like wall treatment. Off the kitchen was a laundry room with washer, dryer, and toilet, all ventilated. Another large room, off the kitchen and rear entrance, was a playroom, with an artistically hand decorated ceiling, ski valances and two closets and fireplace. A useful closet was also at this entrance. Beyond the living room was a library with built-in shelves, drawers and panelled ceiling. There was another fireplace in this room. At the south end of the house was the owner’s suite consisting of bedroom with fireplace, two modern bathrooms, extra towel cupboards, extra medicine cabinets, and fine modern fixtures. One bathroom had a glass-enclosed shower, the other a large tub and shower combination. A custom-made and fitted master dressing room which consisted of an entire wall of built-in closets with sliding doors all especially fitted and with additional built-in chests and cupboards. The entire first floor had hardwood flooring. The second floor had a living room with fireplace, four finished bedrooms and three modern bathrooms and showers. Three additional rooms (unfinished) would make two large bedrooms. Numerous additional closets were in the second floor hallway. The cellar was nearly full and divided into two sections each with concrete flooring. A large and adequate oil burner was housed there, supplying steam heat and hot water. This property was in excellent condition. At the rear of the house was a patio and outdoor fireplace. There was a small storage shed of wood frame construction suitable for storage of lawn equipment. Much of the land and building description was taken almost verbatim from the State’s appraisal in evidence as Exhibit B.

The deed to subject property also conveyed a right of way across Route 9N from Hubbell Lane. Said right of way, 10 feet in width, was to be used in common with others as access to a private dock and beach on Lake George. The dock was about 1,600± feet from the northeast corner of subject property.

The deed to subject property also contained a restriction which provided “ that the premises hereby conveyed shall be used solely for private residential purposes and for a single family only ”. This restriction, which ran with the land, prevented a commercial use of this property. The State, almost as an after[782]*782thought at the trial, threw out the suggestion that the remaining land could be used for residential subdivision. It is our opinion that the location of the residence on the remaining land prevents such use. It is also our opinion that the above restriction precludes such use.

The land itself had a south boundary line 625± feet in length; a west boundary line along the “ Old Mill Brook ” for 868± feet; a north boundary line along Stone Schoolhouse Road for 205± feet; and, an east boundary line along Hubbell Lane for 967± feet.

The highest and best use of the claimants’ property before the appropriation was estate residential. The highest and best use of claimants’ property after the appropriation was residential.

The subject proceeding appropriated approximately 1.583 acres of claimants’ property as follows:

Map No. 3 R-l Parcel No. 3 was a fee without access taking of 1.098± acres. This was an irregular parcel extending from Hubbell Lane to Old Mill Brook and was about 210± feet in width and 120± feet in length on its north boundary and 321.2± feet in length on its south boundary.

Map No. 315 Parcel No. 426 was a fee without access taking of 0.485± acre. This was an irregular parcel westerly of Parcel No. 3 extending along the Old Mill Brook to Stone Schoolhouse Road.

The appropriation separated the remaining lands leaving 0.5-59± acre northwest of Parcel No. 3 and 5.038± acres southeast of said parcel. The 0.559± acre parcel is so steep in topography that the cost to prepare it for use would be equal to the resulting value of the land.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

STATE BY COM'R OF TRANSP. v. Carroll
559 A.2d 1381 (New Jersey Superior Court App Division, 1989)
Div. of Admin., State of Fla. v. Frenchman
476 So. 2d 224 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1985)
DIV. OF ADMIN., STATE DEPT. OF TRANSP. v. West Palm Beach Garden Club
352 So. 2d 1177 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1977)
City of Yonkers v. State
353 N.E.2d 829 (New York Court of Appeals, 1976)
Leider v. State
69 Misc. 2d 998 (New York State Court of Claims, 1972)
Nature Conservancy, Inc. v. State
67 Misc. 2d 1014 (New York State Court of Claims, 1971)
State v. Bd. of Ed. of Elizabeth
282 A.2d 71 (New Jersey Superior Court App Division, 1971)
Dennison v. State of New York
22 N.Y.2d 409 (New York Court of Appeals, 1968)
Dennison v. State
239 N.E.2d 708 (New York Court of Appeals, 1968)
Hetland v. Capaldi
240 A.2d 155 (Supreme Court of Rhode Island, 1968)
Dennison v. State
28 A.D.2d 28 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1967)
Smith v. State
49 Misc. 2d 985 (New York State Court of Claims, 1966)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
48 Misc. 2d 778, 265 N.Y.S.2d 671, 1965 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 1236, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/dennison-v-state-nyclaimsct-1965.