Edelhertz v. City of Middletown

PER CURIAM: In 2009, the Common Council of the City of Middletown, New York (“the City”), amended the City’s zoning laws to prohibit the nonconforming use of non-owner-occupied multiple dwellings in various zoning districts. The plaintiffs allege that the City’s failure to notify them, as affected property owners, prior to enacting this zoning change violated their due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Edgardo Ramos, Judge) granted summary judgment to the City, concluding that the change of zoning rules did not offend due process principles because the zoning amendment was prospective and generally applicable, and was therefore “legislative” in character rather than “adjudicative.” Having conducted a de novo review, see Bailey v. Pataki, 708 F.3d 391, 399 (2d Cir.2013), we agree with the analysis of the District Court and affirm for substantially the reasons stated its excellent opinion and order of September 14, 2012. See Edelhertz v. City of Middletown, No. 11-CV1943 (ER), — F.Supp.2d -, 2012 WL 8010855 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 14, 2012). Although actions by legislative bodies can, in some circumstances, offend constitutional principles of due process, see, e.g., Nathan S. Chapman & Michael W. McConnell, Due Process as Separation of Powers, 121 Yale L.J. 1672 (2012) (discussing historical and jurisprudential bases for various due process constraints on legislative action), the District Court ably explained why the City’s failure to provide notice before it adopted a prospective and generally applicable zoning amendment did not violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Accordingly, the judgment of the District Court is AFFIRMED.