Judge rules in favor of Riverstone condos and the county

After two years of litigation, Nassau County Judge Marianne Aho has granted summary judgment in favor of Riverstone Properties and Nassau County, against the Sanctuary Property Owners’ Association and Amelia Tree Conservancy.  

The judge's ruling stated: The Court has entered final summary judgment in favor of the Defendants by orders entered March 14, 2025 and March 26, 2025. Accordingly, the non-jury trial scheduled for August 4-5, 2025 is CANCELED and will be removed from the Court's calendar. All other remaining case management deadlines set forth in the Court's December 11, 2024 Order Setting Case For Non-Jury Trial are terminated.

Lyn Pannone, President, Amelia Tree Conservancy, said, "In doing so she has approved the agreement between Riverstone and the County that permits, among other things:

•  150 Residential units in up to 11 condominium towers, each at least 85’ high.
• Perpetual immunity from any future changes in zoning or tree protection laws.
• Narrow setbacks.
• Full food and beverage service on the property.
• At least four lighted billboards, each up to 13 feet  high, along scenic A1A."

"Riverstone is likely to sell the property to a developer with all these valuable approvals already in place.  The timing for such a sale could be soon if we do nothing, but it will be up to Riverstone," Pannone said. "We believe that an appeal of Judge Aho’s orders is the best next step in this process.  In that connection we plan to retain the services of Jacobs, Scholz and Wyler to file an appeal to a higher court.  This process is expected to take at least a year."