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State Court Dismisses Mamaroneck Coastal Environmental Coalition’s Lawsuit

MAMARONECK, N.Y. – New York State Supreme Court Judge Linda S. Jamieson dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Mamaroneck Coastal Environment Coalition, Inc., seeking to stop Hampshire County Club from hosting “nonmember events,” such as charitable golf outings and other fundraising events.

The Hampshire Country Club is located in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

The Hampshire Country Club is located in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The dismissal of the coalition’s lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court in White Plains means that Hampshire can continue to host events at the iconic club on the Long Island Sound, as it has for 88 years. The lawsuit also tried to prevent the club from serving as the home course for the Mamaroneck and Rye Neck school districts.

"This is a victory for Hampshire, its members and for the wider community because this small group should not hold sway over the future of the club and how the club operates,” said Thomas Nappi, Hampshire’s senior project manager. “We want to continue to be an asset to the Village of Mamaroneck, the sound shore region, our members and guests who enjoy Hampshire."

The coalition was formed in 2013 after Hampshire announced it was seeking to build a limited condominium development that would maintain Hampshire as a full-service country club and would preserve the golf course.

The lawsuit was brought against both Hampshire and the Village of Mamaroneck Zoning Board of Appeals.

Jamieson summarily dismissed the claims against both parties, stating the coalition’s “anecdotal accounts of wrongdoing by the club” were unsupported by the facts of the case. Jamieson found that the coalition could not provide “any documentary evidence or the testimony of anyone with personal knowledge” to support these assertions.

“Generalized neighbor opposition to a proposal cannot form the basis of a municipality’s land use decision making. We hope the Village will also recognize this important principle when reviewing any future applications submitted by Hampshire,” said Michael D. Zarin, counsel for Hampshire.

This is the second time in several months that the coalition has unsuccessfully pursued legal action against Hampshire in court. In December 2014, the coalition’s request to intervene in a lawsuit between the village and Hampshire in federal court was denied.

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