Property Owners Challenge N.Y. Town's Prohibition on Oil and Gas Drilling

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - Landowners in Middlefield, N.Y. who have already leased mineral rights are challenging a recent change in their town's zoning regulations that bans all oil and gas drilling. Cooperstown Holstein Corp. v. Town of Middlefield, Index No. 2011-930 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., Otsego Cty.).

The complaint was filed in Otsego County (N.Y.) Supreme Court on Sept. 15 by the Cooperstown Holstein Corp., which is challenging an ordinance approved by the Town of Middlefield on June 14.

Zoning Law Article II, B(7), which replaced the town's existing zoning law, prohibits all exploration and drilling for oil or gas and …