Mixed-use development projects represent one of the most challenging categories of land use application in New Jersey. Unlike a single-use project — a residential building, a retail center, or an industrial facility — a mixed-use development must satisfy the zoning and design requirements applicable to each component of the project while also demonstrating that the combination of uses is compatible with the surrounding area and consistent with the municipality’s planning goals. When a project also requires bulk variances — deviations from the dimensional standards of the zoning ordinance — the application must further demonstrate that granting those variances is appropriate under the statutory standards of the Municipal Land Use Law. Getting all of this right in a single proceeding requires experienced land use counsel who can present a coherent, well-supported application.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC attorney Michael J. Lipari secured major site plan and minor subdivision approval, along with several bulk variances, for a mixed-use development project in New Jersey. Lipari practices in the firm’s land use and zoning law practice group, advising developers, property owners, and businesses on site plan applications, subdivision approvals, variance proceedings, and related matters throughout New Jersey. This approval reflects the firm’s ability to navigate complex, multi-component land use proceedings for mixed-use development projects.
Major Site Plan, Subdivision, and Variance Approvals for Mixed-Use Development
A combined major site plan and minor subdivision approval for a mixed-use project requires coordinating multiple regulatory threads simultaneously. The site plan portion addresses the design and layout of the project — building footprint, access, parking, landscaping, stormwater management, and utilities. The subdivision component addresses the division or reconfiguration of existing lots to achieve the project’s intended lot structure. Bulk variances address specific departures from the zoning ordinance’s dimensional requirements — height, setbacks, lot coverage, floor area ratio — that the project requires but that cannot be satisfied within the ordinance’s strict limits.
The municipal planning board must find that the project satisfies all applicable site plan standards, that the subdivision is consistent with the municipality’s subdivision ordinance and master plan, and that each bulk variance meets the applicable statutory standard. Preparing a multi-pronged application of this complexity requires assembling the right team of engineers, architects, and planners, coordinating their testimony to tell a coherent story about the project, and anticipating the board’s concerns well enough to address them before they become objections.
According to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law establishes the standards for site plan approvals, subdivision approvals, and variance applications, and applicants bear the burden of demonstrating compliance with applicable standards. Experienced land use counsel understands how to meet these burdens effectively and present complex mixed-use applications in a manner that supports board approval.
Contact Mandelbaum Barrett PC for Land Use Guidance
If your development project requires site plan, subdivision, or variance approvals in New Jersey, the land use and zoning law practice team at Mandelbaum Barrett PC can help.
Reach out through our contact page to speak with our team. We are here to help developers navigate complex multi-component land use approval processes in New Jersey.
These stories are successful case results from our attorneys. Please note that results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.