Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Local Law Banning Music Festival Is Not Unconstitutional Restraint of Speech

By Steven M. Silverberg
February 01, 2020

A landowner challenged local zoning that banned holding a three-day music festival, arguing that the law was an unconstitutional violation of free speech and void for vagueness. Initially, there was also a claim of violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (42 USC §2000cc et. seq.) which was abandoned during the course of the litigation. The New York Court of Appeals in Town of Delaware v. Leifer, ___ NY3d ___ (2019), found there was no violation of the right to free speech and the law was not void for vagueness.

The property in question is a 68 acre site containing a single family home. In 2016 the landowner sought, for the third year, to hold a three-day music festival and camping on his site to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath (called the Camping Trip). Tickets were sold and attendees would camp out on the property from Friday through Sunday, The activities would include music, religious ceremonies on Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath), food trucks and portable toilets for the attendees.

Upon learning of the intention to hold the festival again in 2016, the Town commenced an action to enjoin the festival, claiming that it violated local zoning. A "theater" is a permitted use in other zoning districts but not the rural district in which the property is located. The Town claimed the proposed activities constituted the use as a theater and if the property owner wished to conduct that use he should seek a variance or zoning amendment. The parties entered into a stipulation permitting the proposed festival to be conducted, with certain restrictions, in 2016, with the Town reserving its right to object to future events.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?

Legal Possession: What Does It Mean? Image

Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.