Community Association Law — New York

Hudson Valley CAI In-Person Expo slated for September 30

Hudson Valley CAI Chapter President Stacey R. Patterson Esq., and the entire Hudson Valley Board is pleased to announce the return of our IN-PERSON Expo on Sept. 30, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Expo will be held at Homewood Suites in New Windsor, NY  Our Hudson Valley vendors from attorneys to accountants, engineers to insurance agents, and everyone in between will be there to welcome back our loyal members and greet new members. The Expo promises to be filled with education and entertainment including interactive games, door prizes, and refreshments.

Ms. Patterson says: “I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and getting acquainted with the new ones. It’s been way too long since we’ve been able to get together.”

Registration is free and open until the day of the event. Those who register prior to Sept. 23 are eligible for a $200 drawing.

 

Patterson Appointed HVCAI President

Stacey R. Patterson, Esq. has been appointed as the 2021 President of the Community Association Institute Hudson Valley Chapter Board of Directors. Ms. Patterson has been an active member of the Chapter since 2010 and a member of its Board of Directors since 2017.  Ms. Patterson previously served on the Chapter’s executive committee, taking on leadership roles in numerous seminars and educational sessions offered by the Chapter. In her new role as President, she is looking forward to implementing new ways to increase membership and to convey important information to its current members during these unprecedented times.

Ms. Patterson has served as counsel with Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC in the Community Association Law practice group for the past 6 years. Since 2000, she has represented community associations in transactional, litigation, and government-related matters. Ms. Patterson has extensive experience in dealing with issues pertaining to the Non-Profit Corporations Acts, Condominium Acts, and Real Property Acts in New York and New Jersey.

NYC developer and affiliates facing suits on two properties

A pair of lawsuits against L&M Development Partners and its affiliates are proceeding as residents in two of the builder’s Harlem projects seek compensation for costs associated with remediating defective work done during construction of their homes. The litigations recently were featured in Crain’s New York Business and Habitat Magazine.

The boards at La Celia, a 123-unit condo at 64 E. 111th St., and a 75 unit complex created from the conversion of PS90, a school located at 220 W. 148th St., initiated the suits as the costs of the repairs spiraled into the millions of dollars.

Both complexes are represented by Joshua S. Bauchner, Esq. and Anthony J. D’Artiglio, Esq., attorneys with Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC.

Attorneys from Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC successfully have represented clients in numerous construction defect cases, including Cypress Point Condominium Association, Inc. v. Adria Towers, LLC in New Jersey in which the state’s Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that construction defects and faulty workmanship that cause damage to other property is a covered event under the General Contractor’s general liability insurance policies.

For additional information, please contact Joshua S. Bauchner, Esq. at jb@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com or (973) 247-9000.

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For more than 85 years, ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC has been dedicated to providing excellent legal representation. In providing zealous advocacy and skilled legal advice to our diverse clientele, our attorneys all practice with a common philosophy… commitment to excellence and commitment to people. For more information, visit us at https://ansell.law.

 

Bauchner Representing La Celia Owners in Construction Defect Suit

ANSELL, GRIMM & AARON, PC commenced two actions in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against L&M Development Partners, and its affiliates, for design and construction defects in two of its projects in Harlem, on behalf of plaintiffs La Celia Owners Corporation, located at 64 East 111th Street, and PS90 Board of Managers, located at 220 West 148th Street.

The actions assert, among other things, that L&M breached its contractual obligations and made negligent misrepresentations by failing to construct the buildings in accord with the terms of each Offering Plan. Indeed, the buildings were forced to retain engineering and construction firms to identify and remediate design and construction defects endemic to each building.

By example, at La Celia, the engineer’s work revealed significant leaks and penetrations throughout the building, fire hazards, items not constructed to Code, and that at least 70% of residents have insufficient cooling, likely due to “marginally sized and under-sized” PTAC units. At PS90, the engineer’s work revealed that the parapets and significant portions of the façade were defective, widespread water intrusion, and that the roof disclosed in the Offering Plan was not actually installed and is now in need of repair and replacement. Indeed, at PS90, large chunks of the façade have fallen off the building creating a serious safety hazard and compelling the installation of shedding and the closure of the courtyard.

Both buildings undertook efforts to amicably resolve these issues with L&M, but were unfortunately without success, necessitating the lawsuits. Joshua S. Bauchner, a partner with the law firm of Ansell, Grimm & Aaron P.C., and counsel to both buildings commented that “L&M prides itself on promoting development in low income communities. However, when it cuts corners to save a dime, it saddles residents with the significant costs of repair which they simply cannot afford, as L&M well knows. We are simply asking that L&M correct defects of their own making in accord with their express obligations under the Offering Plans.”

Christopher Therkorn, the Board president of PS90, echoed this sentiment, stating “Our entire building is under scaffolding right now as we were forced to repair the parapets, roof, and façade. At this time, our residents are confronted with these unbearable costs as L&M has sought to wash its hands of the matter.” And, Jon Winstone, the Board president of La Celia, noted that “When you are finally able to buy into what is promoted as a beautiful, new building your hopes are high. Then, those hopes are dashed when the ugly underbelly reveals itself — water leaks everywhere, insufficient air conditioning, and rampant Building Code violations.”

The actions are captioned La Celia Owners Corp. v. East 111 Associates, LLC, East 111 Mezzanine, LLC, East 111 Managers, LLC, L&M Development Partners, Inc., and L&M Builders Group, Index No. 654485/2017, and PS90 Board of Managers v. L&M Development Partners, West 147th Associates, LLC, West 147th Managers, LLC, L&M Builders Group, LLC, L&M West 147th Developers, LLC, Index No. 654603/2017.

Ansell Grimm & Aaron attorneys regularly represent clients in construction litigation and litigation against sponsor developers. For additional information, please contact Joshua S. Bauchner, Esq. (jb@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com) or Anthony J. D’Artiglio (ajd@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com) at (973) 247-9000.

 

Patterson joins HV-CAI Executive Board

Stacey R. Patterson, Esq. has been appointed to the Executive Board of Community Association Institute’s Hudson Valley Chapter. The CAI Hudson Valley Chapter serves the educational, business, and networking needs of community associations in the Hudson Valley New York area. Members include condominium, cooperative, and homeowner associations as well as those who provide services and products to associations.

Patterson on panel for CAI roundtable

Stacey Patterson, Esq. will serve as a panel member in a roundtable luncheon discussion with property managers and homeowners, answering legal questions affecting New York community associations, as presented by the attendees. This event is hosted by the Community Associations Institute Hudson Valley. The luncheon will talk place at the Hyatt House in White Plains, New York on March 22 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Attendance is free for property managers and homeowners. Please visit the CAI website for more details and to find out how you can register.

CAI offering cyber security seminars

Stacey Patterson, Esq. will be speaking on the topic of cyber security and its effects on the management and operation of community associations at Community Associations Institute seminars this month in Newburgh, N.Y. on January 25 and in White Plains, N.Y. on January 26.  Please visit the CAI website  for more details and to find out how you can register to learn more about this important topic.

Patterson leads Community Associations Institute – Hudson Valley Roundtable Discussion

Stacey Patterson, an attorney in AGA’s Community Association Practice Group led a roundtable discussion on behalf of Community Associations Institute (“CAI”) – Hudson Valley which took place in Hillburn, New York on September 15th.

The discussion was attended by various professionals in the Hudson Valley community association industry and board members from New York condominium associations and HOAs. Board members and managers had the opportunity to ask Ms. Patterson legal questions including questions surrounding ADA compliance, unit owner access to community documents, common element maintenance and modifications and governing document interpretation.

Ms. Patterson is located in AGA’s Woodland Park, NJ and White Plains, NY offices.   To discuss your legal needs, you may contact her at 973-925-7343 or srp@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com.