Land Use & Zoning

Overview

We regularly advise and assist clients in zoning, land use, permitting, and government-relations matters involving major development projects. We help clients evaluate the development potential of target properties, assist with the pre-application process and preliminary design to minimize potential concerns, and provide solutions that keep our clients’ developments on track.

Whether you are undergoing a redevelopment project, seeking approvals for a specialized asset, or beginning a new construction project, we can turn your development challenges into success. 

Recognition

• Nixon Peabody has been named a Tier 1 firm in Rhode Island for Land Use & Zoning Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2023

Representative Experience

• Telecommunications projects: Represented major national wireless telecommunications and tower companies in obtaining required land use approvals throughout New York State (including within the Adirondack Park), Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Kentucky, and Maine 
• Energy projects: Represented large renewable LNG producer in transactions throughout the United States and Canada, including formation, land acquisition, required permitting, and corporate matters
• Solar projects: Represented several large solar developers and companies in development of both utility and community scale projects in New York
• Affordable housing: Counseled developer on local, state, and federal permitting needs for conversion of historic school to a mixed-use, affordable development for seniors and local artists
• Power Plants: Represented the developer of a 680 MW natural gas power plant in Orange County, New York
• Public Institutions: Supervised CEQA compliance and obtained complex entitlements to construct a new 350,000-square-foot museum in Los Angeles
• High-Rise Developments: Provided entitlement strategy and land use advice for 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use tower in downtown Los Angeles, including more than 500 residential units, hotel, retail, and entertainment uses
• Industrial Facilities: Supervised CEQA compliance and obtained entitlements for 1.2 million-square-foot light industrial campus in Menifee, CA, including development agreement, zoning variances, and subdivision