Shepard v. Village of Skaneateles

An amendment to a zoning ordinance of the Village of Skaneateles converted the área in which plaintiffs’ property was located from mercantile to residential uses. Asserting that the change was unreasonable and confiscatory, plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment declaring that the amendment was unconstitutional and void. The court at Special Term, concluding that the ordinance as amended was valid, dismissed the complaint on motion of defendants, the village and its board of trustees. The Appellate Division reversed and directed entry of a declaratory judgment in plaintiffs’ favor.

Upon…