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Erik W. Snipas focuses his practice on land use and zoning matters, as well as industrial development agency (IDA) and municipal benefits and government incentives, environmental, municipal, and real estate law. He represents various clients including real estate investment trusts, public companies, large corporations, real estate developers, and residential property owners. With deep experience seeking variances, change of use permits, special use permits, site plan approvals, and subdivisions for clients, he has advocated before numerous municipalities across the region.

Erik currently serves as an alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals for the Village of Lloyd Harbor. The invaluable insight into the decision-making process from a municipal perspective allows Erik to better anticipate the concerns and priorities of municipal boards, giving him the opportunity to craft more effective applications and arguments. With his knowledge of the nuances of local land use regulations and the challenges local boards face, Erik is able to deliver more strategic and practical strategies tailored to his clients’ needs.

In addition to land use and zoning matters, Erik also handles various litigation cases including Article 78 proceedings challenging board determinations and representation of entities charged with code violations in district court. Erik previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Queens District Attorney’s office.

Expertise

Erfahrung

  • Represented The Swing, Golf Lounge Inc. in obtaining a Special Use Permit, Site Plan Approval, and parking variance to construct a high-end, members-only, indoor golf simulator in Jericho, New York.
  • Represented client Multibrands Massapequa TIC Real Estate LLC before the Town of Oyster Bay Town Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to repurpose the former Hudson’s Mill restaurant and add a drive-through window for use by one of the largest coffee brands in the United States and a multinational chain of ice cream shops.
  • Secured approvals for one of the world’s largest real estate managers in connection with its application to the Town of Oyster Bay’s Planning Advisory Board and Zoning Board of Appeals for a spec-warehouse.°
  • Secured a Special Use Permit and Site Plan Approval to convert a former motel site into a dormitory for college students.°
  • Secured subdivision approval from the Nassau County Planning Commission and variances from the Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals for a four-lot subdivision.°
  • Secured Site Plan Approval from the Village of Oyster Bay Cove Planning Board to construct a new 2-story dwelling with patios and terraces, in-ground swimming pool, retaining walls, and other associated site improvements.°
  • Secured variances from the Village of Lattingtown and approval from the Nassau County Planning Commission for a lot line adjustment.°
  • Secured Site Plan Approval and a parking variance to allow an orthopedics and sports medicine facility to construct an addition to be used as a surgical room.°
  • Secured Site Plan Approval for a warehouse and delivery station in Syosset.°
  • Represented an educational facility in connection with its application to the City of Glen Cove Planning Board for site plan approval and to amend an existing special use permit.°
  • Secured a use variance, area variances, and site plan approval for a bakery in Glen Cove.°
  • Secured site plan approval and sign variances from the Town of Oyster Bay’s Zoning Board of Appeals to construct a car dealership.°

°The above representations were handled by Mr. Snipas prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

In connection with zoning applications, he has appeared before boards in the following municipalities throughout Long Island:

  • City of Glen Cove
  • Town of Babylon
  • Town of Brookhaven
  • Town of East Hampton
  • Town of Hempstead
  • Town of Huntington
  • Town of North Hempstead
  • Town of Oyster Bay
  • Village of Bayville
  • Village of Farmingdale
  • Village of Flower Hill
  • Village of Hempstead
  • Village of Huntington Bay
  • Village of Kings Point
  • Village of Lattingtown
  • Village of Lawrence
  • Village of Mill Neck
  • Village of Muttontown
  • Village of Northport
  • Village of Oyster Bay Cove
  • Village of Plandome Manor
  • Village of Rockville Centre
  • Village of The Branch
  • Assistant District Attorney, Queens District Attorney’s Office, 2014-2017
  • Legal Intern, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central Islip, New York, 2013
  • Legal Intern, Office of the New York State Attorney General, 2012

Anerkennung durch den Markt

  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, "Ones to Watch," Land Use & Zoning Law, 2024-2025
  • Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2023
  • Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New York Metro Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” 2020-2024
  • Alternate, Village of Lloyd Harbor’s Board of Zoning Appeals, 2024
  • Member, Nassau County Bar Association, 2019-Present
    • Co-Vice Chair, Municipal Law and Land Use Committee, 2023-Present
  • Inspector of Elections, Lloyd Neck Estates, 2021-2022
  • Member, Assistant District Attorney’s Association of Queens, 2015- Present
  • Member, Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, 2021-Present
  • Coach, St. John’s University School of Law, 2017-2022

Ausbildung

Akademische Ausbildung
  • J.D., St. John's University School of Law
  • B.S., St. John's University
Zulassung
  • New York

Related Capabilities

Öffentliches Baurecht und Bauplanungsrecht Immobilienwirtschaftsrecht