Title insurance is issued using standardized forms of policies and endorsements. The most commonly used forms for commercial properties are those promulgated by the American Land Title Association (ALTA), a nationwide title...more
In a published opinion filed October 21, 2024, the Second District Court of Appeal (Div. 7) reversed a judgment entered after the trial court granted without leave a real party developer’s motion for judgment on the...more
The Nexus Pipeline (Nexus), which transports natural gas from eastern Ohio to Canada, was placed in-service in 2018. Nexus appealed its initial tax valuation in November 2019 and ultimately reached a settlement regarding tax...more
This year’s extensive condominium bill CS/CS/CS/HB 1021 (“HB 1021”) containing amendments to the Condominium Act created a new Section 718.407 entitled “Condominiums created within a portion of a building or within a multiple...more
Developers who create residential subdivisions in Florida are typically obligated to form a homeowners’ association (HOA) to govern the community. Mandated by permitting authorities like counties, cities, and water management...more
During the 2023 legislative session, the Rhode Island legislature enacted a package of sweeping changes to Rhode Island’s zoning and land use laws. The goal: streamline housing development permitting in Rhode Island,...more
We would not blame you if you said that dealing with attorneys is not your favorite part of being a municipal official. However, in our defense, people use attorneys because they need help with complicated legal processes and...more
Montgomery County land developers face a myriad of challenges that can make or break their projects. From intricate zoning laws to community opposition, the road to successful development is replete with obstacles....more
Effective October 3, 2023, the threshold amount for rejecting bids when they exceed the original construction estimate will increase for certain Ohio public entities. Previously, Ohio Revised Code (ORC)153.12 specified that...more
House Bill 14 (by Harris (R), House District 8, Palestine, Anderson County, Texas) - Effective September 1, 2023 - THIRD-PARTY REVIEW OF PLATS, PLANS, PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS - HB 14 adds a new Chapter 247 to the...more
The First District Court of Appeal held that a single deed conveying four or fewer contiguous lots can qualify for a presumption of legality under section 66412.6(a) of the Subdivision Map Act so long as the lots are...more
The Rhode Island General Assembly recently passed a series of bills through both houses which were transmitted to the Governor for signature on June 19, 2023, commonly known as House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi’s housing...more
Last month, in Cuffaro v Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Bellport (Index # 620453/2021), the Suffolk Supreme Court reinforced the existing and binding case law that a municipality’s issuance of a building permit to...more
Introduction: Defining Interprofessional Consultation In a January 5, 2023, letter to state health officials, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) clarified a Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program...more
On May 12, 2022, the First District Court of Appeal filed a 108-page published opinion affirming a judgment denying a CEQA writ petition that challenged Marin County’s approval of a 43-lot single-family residential...more
When requesting deviation from setback minimums or minimum lot size requirements, a developer must request an area variance. Even if the lots are zoned residential and the developer only wants to build a single-family...more
Land in Florida continues to be rapidly developed due to the economic growth still taking place in the state. The housing market currently remains strong, and new residential developments (both apartments and single-family...more
In Citizens’ Committee to Complete the Refuge et al. v. City of Newark et al., the First District Court of Appeal (Div. 4) found the California Environmental Quality Act did not require subsequent or supplemental...more
The Court of Appeal found that a development project that was consistent with a previously approved specific plan was not required to prepare a new EIR because no changes significantly increased impacts on endangered species....more
CASES OF NOTE - SIMILAR PROJECTS, DIFFERENT DECISIONS - Brossi, et al. v. Town of Grafton Planning Board, et al., No. 19 MISC 000551 (MDV), 2021 WL 5833935 (Mass. Land Ct. Dec. 9, 2021) - The Massachusetts Land...more
Before adjudication, a court must determine whether a plaintiff has standing. Standing means that the party has a right to access the courts for a particular dispute. A petitioner bears the burden to show an actual injury and...more
To kick off our 2022 newsletter season (and hopefully in better fashion than the Sacramento Kings), we thought it would be helpful to summarize a few of California’s noteworthy new-for-2022 laws....more
The Ohio Supreme Court issued an important decision today clarifying the proper method under Ohio law to value big box stores - in this case, a Lowe’s store. The Ohio Supreme Court rejected the property owner’s argument...more
Strict Construction of Instruments of Conveyance for Easements, Wavell v. Lengel, 2021 Va. Cir. LEXIS 158, Case No. CL20000484-00 (Amherst Co. Cir. Ct. July 12, 2021) - Strict construction of canons of legal...more
Determining the width of a right-of-way may be more difficult than you think, even when the dimensions are specifically defined. New York courts take the approach that elevates the right of passage over full use an easement...more