Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Files Lawsuit Against NY State Over Disputed Land Parcel

Though the NY State Office of General Services (OGS) laid claim to a disputed .57 parcel of land on Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club (MBYC) premises, the MBYC has fired back with a lawsuit that says the land belongs to the club.

The complaint—filed on April 5, 2013—asserts that the land was utilized for many years by the club and that, only after they applied for land and zoning variances in order to build seasonal residences, was the ownership of the land disputed.

"A small number of neighboring property owners contacted Defendants, other New York State agencies and New York State and other legislators, asserting that the Parcel was owned by Defendant State, rather than by Claimant MB&Y. This assertion was made in an attempt to prevent the Club from obtaining certain zoning and land use approvals from the Village of Mamaroneck and proceeding with its proposed redevelopment plans," said the complaint, filed in county court.

In response to allegations that the plot was not owned by them, the club hired Benchmark Title Agency to investigate the claim; the agency determined that the parcel, in fact, belongs to MBYC.

The lawsuit also claims that the NY OGS did not turn over paperwork that would indicate that title belonged to the state and not to the MBYC, beyond a limited number of documents, many of which were redacted.

"In reliance upon Defendants' unjust and invalid claims, the Village of Mamaroneck has failed and refused to allow the Club, or any of the Club entities, to proceed with and act upon certain land development approvals previously granted by the Village of Mamaroneck to the Club and Club entities," said the complaint.

MBYC, in court documents, asks to be awarded an official title to the property and that no future claim be made upon the land.