The 234 Apartment

T wo weeks ago, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge handed down a decision designed to strike fear in the hearts of landlords. Justice James d’Auguste ordered that an independent receiver be appointed to manage two Midtown residential buildings where the landlords allegedly allowed illegal Airbnb rentals to occur. The case, which began when the city sued the landlords in February 2015, has become one of the battlegrounds in a larger war between city enforcement agencies and short- term rental sites like Airbnb. Airbnb, which was recently valued at $31 billion, refuses to release the exact addresses of hosts who break the law by renting their entire apartment for less than 30 days without being present. Without the addresses and names of Airbnb violators , the city mostly targets the owners of buildings that rack up the most illegal hotel complaints from 311 calls and the New York City Department of Buildings. “This entire model—and it was intentional [by the city]—is complaint-drive...

Article Tools The Orwigsburg Borough Council adopted a resolution recently that authorized eminent domain proceedings for a portion of the Scott and Sandra Sopko property in the borough. At its Aug. 9 regularly scheduled meeting , the council took the action. Members Michele Rudloff and Angie Hoptak-Solga did not attend the meeting. The property on Ridgeview Drive has a 20-foot easement on it. A meter pit and meter connection were put on the property for the Orwigsburg Bulk Water Project earlier this year. That work on the property has since been completed. The installation of the meter pit will be used for development in the old Deer Lake Drive -in area. Apartments and a hospital could be built there. The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority will buy the water from Orwigsburg, then bill customers in West Brunswick Township . Borough Manager Robert Williams declined comment , except to say there was no public comment on the matter. Council President Buddy Touchisky also declin...