Zoning, Land Use & Eminent Domain
Our Real Estate team guides landowners, developers and builders through the zoning, land use and governmental processes that drive the planning, approval and development of real property. We work across a wide range of commercial asset types, including residential, retail, office, industrial and mixed-use projects, ensuring projects move forward efficiently and in compliance with state and local requirements.
We advise on the full spectrum of zoning and land use matters, including rezoning applications, variances, conditional use permits, subdivision and development plans and building-permit issues. We work closely with local officials and administrative bodies—including planning commissions, architectural review boards and city councils—to secure the entitlements and approvals needed to advance development and redevelopment projects.
We also collaborate with our Litigation Practice Group when disputes arise, representing clients in administrative hearings, appeals and court proceedings involving property use, zoning decisions and land development rights. Our work includes guiding parties through eminent domain matters, from initial negotiations to contested proceedings.
Our goal is to help clients navigate the regulatory process with clarity, manage risk at each stage and keep momentum behind complex development initiatives.
Experience
- Represented manufacturer seeking to build factory in multiple townships as part of mega site type project. Successfully obtained township rezoning through statutory process so project can proceed.
- Represent condemning authorities, land owners and tenants in all phases of eminent domain proceedings.
- Won council variance on behalf of substance abuse recovery housing provider in city of Columbus.
- Successfully represented large companies in Columbus, Ohio affected by rezonings.
- Shaker Heights City Council Representative to Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals for eight years.
- Obtained use variance to operate facility on behalf of an international machine gear works company.
- Obtained declaration of similar permitted use and conditional use permit on behalf of national transportation company for operation of regional dispatch and preventative maintenance facility.
- Won at trial decision overturning BZA order denying requested zoning variances.
- Resolved administrative appeal challenging township denial of zoning variance for an accessory structure. Structure ultimately allowed.
- Obtained rezoning of parcel to permit construction of apartment building.
- Obtained use variance allowing law firm to operate in residential district.
- Defeated in litigation attempt by landowner to build structure over objections of neighbor.
- Advised a Cleveland-based developer as to its interest in 4,000 acres of land in West Virginia subject to fifty year-old coal leases.
- Prosecuted over 100 commercial and residential eviction cases without a single loss.
- Successfully litigated multiple complex commercial lease disputes on behalf of prominent shopping malls and real estate developers.
