Introduction
Karla Chaffee focuses her practice on land use permitting and real estate due diligence. She helps her clients maximize efficiency by charting a coordinated permitting strategy through a deal’s lifecycle.
My focus
Land Use Permitting
I guide clients through zoning approvals and development entitlements, often working with affordable housing developers to navigate complex regulatory requirements tied to federal and state funding. I collaborate with clients, planning staff, and officials to secure local, state, and federal permits, laying the groundwork for successful projects. My experience helps achieve real estate objectives and build public benefits. Additionally, I serve on my local zoning board of appeals and zoning review committee.
Land Use Transactional
I perform due diligence work for nation-wide real estate transactions prior to acquisition and financing. I also assess the environmental risk of target properties and determine the mitigation measures needed, if any, to help clients make the best business decisions and avoid potential liability. Finding appropriate mitigation measures has given me the opportunity to negotiate the terms of purchase and sale agreements, liability transfer documents, and insurance policies. I work with sellers, buyers, and lenders to ensure a successful transaction.
Looking ahead
The prevalence of online retail has changed our day-to-day lives in many ways. It influences land use patterns and transforms the market for warehouse and industrial space across the country. The opportunities for development in these sectors vary significantly by region, and clients will need to understand how the prevalence of e-commerce has impacted local market and regulatory conditions.
Locally, the lack of adequate housing supply in Massachusetts is at crisis levels. Recent changes to the Massachusetts Zoning Enabling Act has lowered the voting thresholds for projects and zoning amendments to encourage market-rate and affordable housing development. These changes have given developers and housing advocates a new opportunity to work with community leaders to produce sorely needed housing stock.
/Insights
- “The Sometimes Irrational State Preemption of Local Land Use Decision Making - From Housing Density to Renewable Energy Production,” ABA 37th Annual RPTE National CLE Conference, April 30, 2025
- “Addressing Boston's Housing Needs Amidst Limited Developer Incentives,” Boston Multifamily Summit, June 27, 2024
In the news
- Boston Business Journal
SJC upholds MBTA Communities law, requires new ‘guidelines’
Jan 8, 2025This article covers the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upholding the MBTA Communities Act while ruling that the enforcement guidelines need to be revisited. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Karla Chaffee is quoted in the coverage, noting that the SJC ruling is a major victory for housing in Massachusetts and also for the governor’s administration.
- McKnight’s Senior Living
Compliance with new federal flood risk management standard required January 1
Dec 5, 2024This article covers HUD-funded housing projects that must comply with the agency’s new Federal Flood Risk Management (FFRMS) standard starting January 1, 2025. The article references and quotes a client alert written by Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Nate Cushman of Washington, DC and counsel Karla Chaffee of Boston. The alert discusses the Substantial Improvement threshold and cost considerations for floodproofing projects.
- Multi-Housing News
JV lands $153 million for affordable project in Boston
Nov 11, 2024The following article highlights NP for representing the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, in partnership with St. Francis House, to obtain $153 million in financing to develop a 19-story, 126-unit residential tower in Boston. The development will comprise 70 units of permanent supportive housing for those who have experienced homelessness and 56 units for workforce and middle-income households. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Christina Ricotta led the NP team, which also included Washington, DC partners Dara Histed, of the AHRE practice, and Nick Anderson, of the Community Development Finance practice, and Boston AHRE counsel Karla Chaffee, associate Talia Burghard, and paralegal Vienna Kim.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody helps Boston supportive housing land $153 million
Nov 8, 2024The following articles highlight NP for representing the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, in partnership with St. Francis House, to obtain $153 million in financing to develop a 19-story, 126-unit residential tower in Boston. The development will comprise 70 units of permanent supportive housing for those who have experienced homelessness and 56 units for workforce and middle-income households. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Christina Ricotta led the NP team, which also included Washington, DC partners Dara Histed, of the AHRE practice, and Nick Anderson, of the Community Development Finance practice, and Boston AHRE counsel Karla Chaffee, associate Talia Burghard, and paralegal Vienna Kim.
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
More than 20 amicus briefs filed in MBTA Communities Act challenge
Sep 30, 2024This article covers numerous amicus briefs filed in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s lawsuit seeking to force the town of Milton to comply with the MBTA Communities Act, which requires cities and towns served by public transportation to establish at least one district of “reasonable size” zoned for multi-family housing. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Karla Chaffee is mentioned and quoted in the coverage for filing a brief on behalf of Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association. Karla discusses Section 3A of the law, noting that it’s necessary to look at the context in which it was adopted, and that the legislature clearly intended to do something meaningful for housing advocacy. The NP team also includes AHRE senior counsel Jeff Sacks and Complex Disputes associate Jack Tierney, both of the Boston office.
- Boston Real Estate Times
CHAPA submits amicus brief in MBTA Communities Act in Milton
Sep 20, 2024This article covers an amicus brief that NP filed on behalf of Citizens’ Housing And Planning Association (CHAPA) and more than 30 organizations and businesses in support of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s lawsuit against Milton to enforce multifamily zoning requirements under the MBTA Communities Act. The NP team includes Affordable Housing & Real Estate senior counsel Jeff Sacks and counsel Karla Chaffee, and Complex Disputes associate Jack Tierney, all of the Boston office.
- New England Real Estate Journal
Nixon Peabody closes transaction to finance Worcester redevelopment
June 21, 2024This article covers a complex financing transaction that kicked off the first phase of a planned redevelopment of a Worcester (MA) Housing Authority property. Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Dara Histed is quoted in the coverage for representing Trinity Financial in the transaction. The NP team representing Trinity Financial also included strategic policy advisor and AHRE deputy practice leader Deborah VanAmerongen, New York City partner Kathie Soroka, Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Boston associate Ali Sisson, Washington, DC associate David Hornstein, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the AHRE practice.
- New England Real Estate Journal
Nixon Peabody advises Hebrew SeniorLife in construction of new senior affordable housing complex
April 7, 2023This article highlights NP’s work advising Hebrew SeniorLife in the site acquisition and construction of a new affordable housing complex for seniors in Brookline, MA. The article quotes Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Julie Hancock Stande, who led the NP deal team. The team also included senior counsel Jeff Sacks, counsel Karla Chaffee, associates Talia Burghard and Jason Kim, and paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Boston office and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- New England Real Estate Journal
Beacon and Harborlight host groundbreaking for Beverly Village
April 7, 2023This article, which covers the groundbreaking ceremony for a new seniors- and arts-focused affordable housing development north of Boston, mentions NP for advising Beacon Communities in the complex financing for the project. The NP deal team was led by Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed and included New York City Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Barry Rothchild; and Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Washington, DC associate Jamie Flesch, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Seniors Housing Business
Nixon Peabody advises Hebrew SeniorLife in construction of affordable community in Brookline, Massachusetts
April 4, 2023This article highlights NP’s work advising Hebrew SeniorLife in the site acquisition and construction of a new affordable housing complex for seniors in Brookline, MA. The article quotes Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Julie Hancock Stande, who led the NP deal team. The team also included senior counsel Jeff Sacks, counsel Karla Chaffee, associates Talia Burghard and Jason Kim, and paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Boston office and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Boston Real Estate Times
Nixon Peabody advises Hebrew SeniorLife in construction of new seniors affordable housing complex
March 28, 2023This article highlights NP’s work advising Hebrew SeniorLife in the site acquisition and construction of a new affordable housing complex for seniors in Brookline, MA. The article quotes Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Julie Hancock Stande, who led the NP deal team, which also includes senior counsel Jeff Sacks, counsel Karla Chaffee, associates Talia Burghard and Jason Kim, and paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Boston office and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Bisnow
This week’s Boston deal sheet
March 27, 2023This roundup of Greater Boston real estate deals mentions NP for advising Hebrew SeniorLife in the site acquisition and construction of a new affordable housing complex for seniors in Brookline, MA. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Julie Hancock Stande led the NP deal team, which also included senior counsel Jeff Sacks, counsel Karla Chaffee, associates Talia Burghard and Jason Kim, and paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Boston office and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Boston Real Estate Times
Beacon Communities and Harborlight Homes host groundbreaking for Beverly Village for Living and the Arts
March 7, 2023This article, which covers the groundbreaking ceremony for a new seniors- and arts-focused affordable housing development north of Boston, mentions NP for advising Beacon Communities in the complex financing for the project. The NP deal team was led by Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed and included New York City Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Barry Rothchild; and Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Washington, DC associate Jamie Flesch, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Seniors Housing Business
Beacon, Harborlight plan intergenerational adaptive reuse for former Briscoe School in Beverly, Massachusetts
Jan 25, 2023This article mentions NP for advising Beacon Communities in a complex financing deal that will transform a former school just north of Boston into senior and arts-focused affordable housing. The article notes this is the first time an affordable housing deal in Massachusetts utilized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed led the NP team, which also included New York City Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Barry Rothchild; and Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Washington, DC associate Jamie Flesch, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Boston Business Journal
SJC ruling muddies the waters for future of Massachusetts coastal development
This article covers potential implications of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling that sends Boston’s municipal harbor plan back to the drawing board. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Karla Chaffee is quoted in this article, explaining how the Department of Environmental Protection still needs to work out how to handle future harbor plans, noting that it could leave current plans in a state of limbo until the DEP releases related regulations.July 14, 2022 - Seniors Housing Business
Hebrew SeniorLife receives financing for expansion of affordable community near Boston
This article on client Hebrew SeniorLife closing financing to build 45 new units of affordable senior housing in metro Boston mentions NP for advising on the project. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jeff Sacks led the NP team, which also included Community Development Finance partner Forrest Milder, and AHRE senior counsel Don Cooper, counsel Karla Chaffee, associate Ali Sisson, and paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Boston office.March 3, 2022 - Law360
Real estate lawyers on the move
This column on notable industry moves features the arrival of Chaundi Randolph in Washington, DC, Karla Chaffee in Boston, and Daniel Perlin in Chicago as counsel in NP’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practiceJan 19, 2022 - Affordable Housing Finance
People on the move
This column on notable industry moves features the arrival of Chaundi Randolph in Washington, DC, Karla Chaffee in Boston, and Daniel Perlin in Chicago as counsel in NP’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. The article also includes a brief description of each attorney’s practice.Dec 15, 2021 - McKnights Senior Living
People in the news
The following roundup article on notable industry moves feature the arrival of Chaundi Randolph in Washington, DC, Karla Chaffee in Boston, and Daniel Perlin in Chicago as counsel in NP’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. The article also features a brief description on each of their practices.Dec 14, 2021 - Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
People
The following roundup article on notable industry moves feature the arrival of Chaundi Randolph in Washington, DC, Karla Chaffee in Boston, and Daniel Perlin in Chicago as counsel in NP’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. The article also features a brief description on each of their practices.Dec 13, 2021 - The American Lawyer
Nixon Peabody adds three more lawyers to Affordable Housing, Real Estate bench
This article features the arrival of Chaundi Randolph in Washington, DC, Karla Chaffee in Boston, and Daniel Perlin in Chicago as counsel in NP’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. The article also quotes AHRE practice group leader Denise Pursley on recent growth across the practice and the increased demand for legal services.Dec 9, 2021
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Education
Vermont Law School, J.D.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, B.S.
Professional activities
- Zoning Board of Appeals (Rowley, Massachusetts) – Vice Chair
- Zoning Review Committee (Rowley, Massachusetts)
- ABA Land Use and Zoning Committee – Chair
- Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association –past Treasurer
- Harborlight Homes, Board of Advisors
Recognition
- CHAPA's Robert L. Terrell Fair Housing Awardee, April 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 – Land Use and Zoning Law (listed since 2024)
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Pro Bono Honor Roll 2023
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers “Rising Star” – Land Use, 2016–2019
Pro bono services
Assisted several clients to receive asylum in the United States, including derivative asylum for a client’s young family.
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllJared C. Lusk
Partner / Office Managing Partner, Rochester- Rochester
- Office:+1 585.263.1140
- jlusk@nixonpeabody.com
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Jennifer R. Schultz
Partner / Leader, National Permitting & Land Use Practice- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.6071
- jschultz@nixonpeabody.com
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