On June 27, 2024, the California First District Court of Appeal affirmed the denial of a writ petition challenging the City of Lafayette’s determination that a 12-unit residential condominium building qualified for the Class...more
On July 16th, the County Council took a significant step toward modernizing Prince George’s County’s zoning ordinance, when it adopted a comprehensive zoning omnibus bill following a months-long legislative process....more
After the Charter amendments suggested by the Orange County Charter Review Committee discussed in “Proposed Charter Changes Threaten Orange County's Economic Future” were blocked by the Florida Legislature as discussed in...more
Boston is continuing its commitment to planning-led rezoning with the recent release by the Boston Planning and Development Agency ("BPDA") of a draft zoning text amendment and zoning map to implement the PLAN: Downtown...more
Last month, we delved into the fundamentals of zoning as they relate to developers and builders. Now, let’s take a deeper dive into specialized zoning topics that merit closer examination....more
In March, the Prince George’s County Council acted on zoning legislation that will influence the County’s development trajectory for years to come. ...more
What is zoning and how does it work? In simple terms, zoning refers to a city’s ability to regulate property owners’ use of their land within its corporate boundaries. For instance, a city may prohibit commercial...more
On March 6, 2024, the Florida State Legislature passed SB 1420 in an effort to block regulations proposed by the Orange County Charter Review Committee (CRC) that would have drawn a new rural boundary that would have heavily...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
In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed, the Beatles performed the first stadium concert in the history of rock, and the Washington Hilton opened just north of Dupont Circle in Washington, DC....more
The Boston Planning and Development Agency (“BPDA”) has adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy (“DEI”) that asks developers of large projects (adding/constructing more than 50,000 square feet), Planned Development...more
At this week’s City of Miami Commission meeting, the City of Miami adopted a series of important amendments to the Miami 21 Zoning Code. These amendments specifically impact the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District...more
On January 13, 2022, the Brookhaven Town Board voted unanimously to adopt new legislation that creates the Greater Bellport Overlay District. The law aims to foster redevelopment in the hamlet of Bellport and encourages the...more
On December 15, 2021, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released draft guidelines for the Commonwealth’s recently-adopted Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities. A public...more
On June 29, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed into law HB 487, which increases the maximum acreage of a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment from 10 acres to 50 acres. It also increases the maximum acreage for a small-scale...more
Since January 2021, multiple proposals were introduced in the New York State legislature to permit underutilized hotel and/or office buildings, many of which have become financially distressed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to...more
Zoning laws are changing in Connecticut. The goal? To make housing more affordable and accessible for everyone. - Nearly a century ago, the Connecticut Legislature adopted the “Standard Zoning Enabling Act” (now Chapter...more
Continuing a trend reported in our Sept. 9, 2020 alert (“Zoning and Land Use: Turning the World Right-Side Up Again”), the Appellate Division for the First Department, which exercises appellate jurisdiction over courts in...more
In an effort to stimulate the revitalization of abandoned, vacant or underutilized commercial shopping centers, bowling alleys and health club properties, the Brookhaven Town Board recently voted to adopt a new zoning...more
The need for zoning reform has been a perennial topic in both chambers of the Massachusetts State House for almost two decades. Signed into law by Governor Baker on January 14, 2021, Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, “An Act...more
Philadelphia Zoning, Land Use, and Construction COVID-19 Update - Currently, the City of Philadelphia is in the beginning stages of reopening, and most zoning and land use reviews are proceeding (with the exception of the...more
The Ballard Spahr Zoning and Land Use Team is continuing to monitor all aspects of the City of Philadelphia land use approval process during the COVID-19 emergency, including the issuance of zoning and building permits,...more
In what passes for high drama in the world of Massachusetts land use law, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), after hearing oral argument last Thursday in an important case involving standing in zoning appeals, entered an order...more
When landowners oppose a project that involves the rezoning of a neighboring property, they almost always have the opportunity to air their grievances through a public hearing process. If the rezoning is approved over their...more
As a coastal region confronting the impacts of climate change, South Florida must continue to advance urban resiliency and sustainability innovations through public investments, regulations, and private sector incentives that...more