Zoning, Planning & Land Use › Commercial Real Estate › Transportation Law

NH Supreme Court Reverses Recent Decision Regarding Restrictions On Excavation Permitting

In a November 16, 2012 alert, we discussed the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s November 9, 2012 decision in Town of Carroll v. Rines. That decision concluded that state law preempts certain municipal restrictions on excavation...more

Perfect Storm for CEQA Reform In 2013? Former Govs Weigh In

Hot on the heels of Governor Jerry Brown’s 2013 State of the State address, which raised the need for CEQA reform (as noted in my immediately-preceding blog post), a trio of former California governors has echoed and...more

2012 Eminent Domain Year in Review & 2013 Forecast

As we look back on 2012, it was unquestionably a busy year. Federal funds continued to make their way to local projects and shovels continued to break ground for infrastructure projects. The potential use of eminent domain...more

Port Miami’s Development Improve Sea, Road, And Rail Access

We recently mentioned the Port of Miami’s ambitious development plans in the context of the several major public projects taking place in South Florida. Among these projects, it is clear that the activity at the Port is of...more

When is a Resolution of Necessity Tainted By Prior Agency Obligations?

One of the prerequisites to instituting an eminent domain action is the governing agency's adoption of a resolution of necessity to acquire the necessary property. At the time of adopting the resolution, the agency cannot be...more

Supreme Court Holds Temporary Flooding Can Be A Taking

After passing on a number of Fifth Amendment issues in recent history, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear three cases this term in which the takings clause plays a prominent role. And today, the Court addressed the...more

Court Decision on Loss of Goodwill Results in Sour Grapes for Business Owners

California is one of only a few states in which a business may recover for loss of goodwill when property is taken by eminent domain, but even here there are limitations on a business' right to recover for such damages. ...more

The Evolution of Smart Growth: The new mantra of land-use planning.

Originally published in Western Real Estate Business - October 2012. In land-use planning, as in other fields that respond to developing trends, yesterday’s truth becomes tomorrow’s heresy. Housing and development...more

Google real estate director John Igoe - San Francisco Construction & Development Summit  [Video]

Google real estate director John Igoe said Google wants to push the boundaries of building just like it does the Internet, and went straight to the question of public infrastructure and Caltrain at the Allen Matkins/Bisnow...more

Private Rail Project "All Aboard Florida" To Debut in 2014 as Excitement Grows About Florida Real Estate Development Turnaround

Here in Florida, one of the big things that those in the real estate industry are watching - and excited about - is the announcement by Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) of their new project, “All Aboard Florida,” which...more

Determining the Scope of the Resolution of Necessity in Eminent Domain Actions

Before a public agency can exercise the power of eminent domain, it must adopt a resolution of necessity making certain findings in support of the taking of property. The resolution defines the scope of the agency's...more

National Eminent Domain Webinar: December 1, 2011

Want the scoop on what future challenges local government agencies face with respect to eminent domain and redevelopment? Want to hear from some of the most well-recognized eminent domain attorneys across the nation? Want...more

Eminent Domain Opinion Demonstrates Need to Get Final Order Right the First Time

All eminent domain attorneys know the importance of getting the Final Order of Condemnation right. After all, it's the document that gets recorded, effecting the transfer of title to the agency. But sometimes mistakes...more

GCIA v. Gallenthin Realty Development, Inc.

Public Use Abuse Brief of Landowner Defendant Gallenthin

The Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, was designed to guarantee the basic principles of individual liberty by limiting the power of the federal government and...more