Land Use Development, Zoning and Permitting

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Description

Real estate developers, owners, tenants and investors regularly engage Smolak & Vaughan as counsel in a wide variety of zoning, land use permitting, compliance, and other entitlement matters on the local, state and federal levels on numerous high-profile real estate projects throughout New England. 

We team with our clients to navigate through all aspects of the development process, including...

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Development Process

  • Project planning and feasibility, including due diligence review of zoning, land use and other permitting issues to identify potential challenges, obstacles and opportunities;
  • Identifying key stakeholders and other participants early in the process and facilitate dialogue with neighbors and other stakeholders;
  • Reviewing zoning requirements and site histories to determine whether existing buildings and land comply with zoning, and to identify value add opportunities for expansion or redevelopment potential;
  • Implementing rezoning strategies, and working with the project engineers, architects and other project team members to ensure permit applications and follow-up are accurate, effective, consistent, timely and on budget;
  • Securing local zoning, special permit and other approvals under zoning ordinances or by-laws, and coordinating the process with state and local entitlements to ensure the process maximizes opportunities to compress the development schedule to ensure the process is efficient, timely and complete; 
  • Defending project zoning approvals and other permits from administrative appeals and court challenges by abutters, special interest groups, and other third parties; and,
  • Examining potential public/private partnerships to secure funding and other value-add opportunities such as tax increment financing and the MassWorks Infrastructure Program through the new Community One Stop for Growth process designed to facilitate infrastructure improvements and permitting.

Projects

Hillwood

Amazon distribution facility

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north andover

RCG

East & West Mills

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north andover

North Shore CDC

Harbor Village

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Gloucester

Princeton Properties

Mixed Use Project

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North Andover