Society for Ethical Culture v. Spatt

415 N.E.2d 922 (1980)

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Society for Ethical Culture v. Spatt

New York Court of Appeals
415 N.E.2d 922 (1980)

SC

Facts

The New York City Landmark Preservation Commission (defendant) designated the Meeting House of the Society of Ethical Culture of the City of New York (the society) (plaintiff) as a landmark. The society was a religious and charitable organization. The commission designated the society’s meeting house as a landmark because the house was the country’s first building of the art nouveau architecture style, which was pioneered by Robert Kohn, who was also the president of the society. The combination of these factors led to the designation, with the commission deeming the meeting house “a tangible symbol of the Society’s permanent social contribution and a rich architectural element of the fabric of our City.” The society brought suit, claiming that the designation and concomitant building restrictions constituted an unconstitutional restriction on the use of property without compensation. Given its size and the size of the meeting house, the society wished to demolish the building, as well as the one next to it on the property, and rebuild to fully maximize the value of the property. The trial court ruled in favor of the society. The appellate court reversed. The society appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Wachtler, J.)

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