Land Use, Zoning, and Redevelopment

Our land use attorneys are well versed in the Municipal Land Use Law and have secured site plan, subdivision, variance and many other approvals for the development of industrial parks, warehouse campuses, shopping centers, mixed use and multi–family developments and some of the largest residential planned unit developments in New Jersey. We routinely appear before municipal governing bodies, planning and zoning boards, county, state and regional boards, agencies and commissions, historical commissions, and other regulatory agencies.

Our land use attorneys assist clients during all phases of land redevelopment to ensure compliance with the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law and other applicable regulations. On behalf of clients, we regularly negotiate and draft redevelopment agreements, financial agreements, otherwise known as a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), and work with municipalities on drafting redevelopment plans.  From formation of the urban renewal entity through completion of a redevelopment project, our land use attorneys routinely guide clients through the entire redevelopment process.  Our land use attorneys have also been appointed by municipalities to act as Special Redevelopment Counsel, to assist governing bodies with the nuances of redevelopment law.

Our land use attorneys frequently provide guidance to clients on how to comply with zoning regulations and restrictions. Our land use attorneys assist a range of clients including purchasers, sellers, investors, lenders and business-owner tenants with local zoning ordinance compliance.  We also often act as local counsel to assist out-of-state purchasers and investors navigate the complex maze of zoning regulations in New Jersey. Our land use attorneys provide the appropriate analysis and project timelines before the purchasing, selling, or leasing of properties and help our clients comprehend applicable zoning laws and restrictions attached to the properties.  In doing so, we help our clients understand and minimize risks by providing these critical due diligence services, which are an essential element of any real estate transaction.

Our land use attorneys are committed to promoting equitable housing in New Jersey. Our land use attorneys provide guidance to clients, including developers, landowners and investors, on how to comply with applicable affordable housing statutes and regulations, including the Mount Laurel Doctrine and Fair Housing Act. We also work with municipalities on behalf of our clients to help meet their obligation to provide affordable housing.

We help clients navigate eminent domain issues that arise will defend against eminent domain proceedings to ensure a proper defense and just compensation. Our land use attorneys also assist property owners on issues related to regulatory takings, partial and temporary takings.

Our land use attorneys combine their decades of experience in land use and zoning to help clients with land use disputes.  We frequently represent clients in land use board appeals, redevelopment disputes, challenge zoning ordinances and zone changes, and disputes between property owners.  Our land use attorneys have successfully challenged denials of land use approvals, land use planning decisions, and adoption of zoning ordinances and regulations.  We also have significant experience appealing municipal and zoning determinations to local zoning boards of adjustment and county construction boards of appeals.