Mamaroneck's Hampshire Country Club Wins Lawsuit to Host Nonmember Events

New York State Supreme Court Judge Linda S. Jamieson recently dismissed a lawsuit filed against Hampshire Country Club by the Mamaroneck Coastal Environment Coalition, Inc. that sought to stop the Mamaroneck-based club from hosting “nonmember events.”

Nonmember events refers to such things as charitable golf outings and other fundraisers, and the dismissal means that Hampshire can continue to host events at the iconic club on the Long Island Sound as it has for 88 years. Additionally, the club can continue to serve as the home course for the Mamaroneck and Rye Neck school districts, something else the environmental group sought to stop.

“This is a victory for Hampshire, its members and for the wider community because this small group should not hold sway over the future of the club and how the club operates,” said Thomas Nappi, Hampshire’s senior project manager, in a statement. “We want to continue to be an asset to the Village of Mamaroneck, the sound shore region, our members and guests who enjoy Hampshire.”

In a press release announcing the court decision, the country club characterized the coalition, which was formed in 2013, as a group that opposed Hampshire’s plan ”to build a limited condominium development that would maintain Hampshire as a full-service country club and would preserve the golf course.” The coalition “waged a campaign against Hampshire” with lawn signs and “angry statements at village board meetings,” the country club said.

On it’s website, Mamaroneck Coastal Environment Coalition, Inc. wrote that Hampshire’s plan calls for “a major zoning change that would enable [Hampshire] to build a five-story, 290,000 square foot,125-unit condominium complex with a 250+ car underground parking garage,” which the group believes is too large.

“While our initial focus has been the proposed development of the Hampshire, Mamaroneck Coastal is committed to ensuring rational land use policies and practices throughout the coastal areas of Mamaroneck, including Mamaroneck Village, Town of Mamaroneck and Village of Larchmont,” the group wrote.

A message to the coalition seeking comment on the decision was not immediately returned Tuesday.

“Justice Jamieson’s decision got it right,” said Michael D. Zarin, counsel for Hampshire, in a statement. “Generalized neighbor opposition to a proposal cannot form the basis of a municipality’s land use decision making. We hope the Village will also recognize this important principle when reviewing any future applications submitted by Hampshire.”

Added Nappi, “The Coalition and its small group of supporters campaign against Hampshire and its intimidation of the village is doing nothing more than costing the taxpayers of Mamaroneck more legal fees, as well as exposing the village to millions of dollars in damages.”

In its press release, Hampshire states:

The lawsuit was brought against both Hampshire and the Village of Mamaroneck Zoning Board of Appeals. Judge Jamieson summarily dismissed the claims against both parties, stating the coalition’s “anecdotal accounts of wrongdoing by the club” were unsupported by the facts of the case.

She also rejected the coalition’s “vehement assertions” that the non-profit operator of the club did not serve the interests of the club’s golf or tennis members. Judge Jamieson found that the Coalition could not provide “any documentary evidence or the testimony of anyone with personal knowledge” to support these assertions.

Hampshire maintains adding a residential component would ensure its long-term viability, provide abundant open space, and generate significant new tax streams for the village and schools.

This is the second time in several months that the Coalition has unsuccessfully pursued legal action against Hampshire in court. In December 2014, the Coalition’s request to intervene in a lawsuit between the village and Hampshire in federal court was denied.

Photo credit: Hampshire Country Club