Tupper v. City of Syracuse
This appeal originated from a Supreme Court judgment in Onondaga County, entered July 19, 2006, which had annulled City of Syracuse General Ordinance Nos. 46 and 49 of 2005. The initial CPLR article 78 proceeding was based on the contention that the City of Syracuse failed to conduct a proper State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) review prior to enacting the ordinances. The appellate court converted the proceeding to a declaratory judgment action, deeming it the correct procedural vehicle for challenging a legislative act. Upon review of the merits, the court reversed the lower court's judgment. It determined that the ordinances' enactment did not affect the environment within the scope of SEQRA, as they did not impact the physical environment, population patterns, or existing community character. Therefore, the appellate court declared City of Syracuse General Ordinance Nos. 46 and 49 of 2005 to be valid.