REAL ESTATE LAND USE AND ZONING

Our Land Use and Zoning group advises clients regarding zoning matters, regulatory reviews and government entitlements related to the development and use of land.

Our attorneys guide a development project through the process from initial meetings with government officials, municipal departments, and community stakeholders to final approval and permitting. We advise clients regarding land use, annexation, economic redevelopment, affordable housing and historic preservation issues. Members of the Land Use and Zoning group have gained their experience from working on numerous large and small scale multi-family, mixed use, commercial, institutional and municipal entitlement projects. They have experience beyond the real estate development industry, specifically in health care, wireless communications, entertainment, manufacturing, and financial services. They also counsel clients in the areas of development incentives, specifically, tax increment financing (TIF), business districts, enterprise zones and special service areas.

Our attorneys pride themselves on staying on top of development trends and the resultant changing regulatory framework, including changes related to transit oriented developments, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability requirements. Our team enjoys strong relationships with local municipal officials and provides clients with a clear path to success, maneuvering through neighborhood concerns, municipal regulations and political frameworks. They routinely obtain successful outcomes for clients despite community opposition and regulatory roadblocks.

Licensing/Permitting

Our firm regularly handles municipal permitting and licensing issues on behalf of clients. These matters include obtaining business and liquor licenses and various approvals and permits required for business operations. We also advise clients regarding building code issues, and regularly represent clients before the Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings in business license, zoning and building code violation cases.