[WEBINAR] Who Does What? Defining Proper Roles for Staff and Elected Officials
Ethics Laws and the Importance of Transparency for Public Officials
Last week, Denver City Councilmembers Amanda Sawyer, Diana Romero Campbell and Paul Kashmann announced a proposed amendment to the Denver Zoning Code to prohibit new gas stations within a quarter mile from light rail stations...more
On June 6, 2024, the New York City Council approved, with modifications, the NYC Department of City Planning’s Zoning for Economic Opportunity, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes initiatives. The new zoning, which...more
The court of appeal held that a City Council resolution approving a development agreement that included policy decisions regarding development of a public park was a legislative act subject to referendum. Move Eden Housing v....more
Last week, legislation was introduced in Philadelphia City Council that, if passed, would secure Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) legal protection from the city for their involvement in zoning matters. The bill was...more
Gunfire on Benjamin Franklin Parkway Injures Two Police Officers, Brings City’s Independence Day Celebrations to an Unsettling Close- On Monday evening, two police officers were shot near the Philadelphia Museum of Art as...more
Major Changes to the Zoning Board of Adjustment Approved by Council Committee- On Tuesday, the Committee on Law and Government unanimously approved a measure that would allow Philadelphia voters to decide if the Zoning...more
A court could properly direct a city council to correct internal inconsistencies in its general plan resulting from adoption of an initiative. Denham, LLC v. City of Richmond, 41 Cal. App. 5th 340 (2019). The Richmond City...more
If you’re seeking a special permit for a project, be prepared to prove that your proposal complies with the town’s bylaws. First things first. What is a special permit? Generally, a special permit allows an applicant to...more
Two bills were recently introduced before Philadelphia City Council which aim to expand City Council’s input and influence over the implementation of the Philadelphia Zoning Code and curb the rising popularity of multifamily...more
A Land Court ruling late last week chipped away at the several arguments raised by local opponents to a large proposed grow operation in Charlton, Massachusetts. See Valley Green Grow, Inc. v. Charlton, 2019 WL 1087930 (Land...more
The Second District Court of Appeal held that the purported amendment of an agreement to extend the period in which billboards were permitted within the City constituted a new agreement and hence violated the terms of a...more
No State Preemption of Local Billboard Regulations, California Appellate Court Finds - The Outdoor Advertising Act does not preempt local regulation of billboards, a California appellate court has ruled. In a decision...more
On June 6, 2016, City of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto signed legislation enacted by City Council amending the City of Pittsburgh Zoning Code by establishing a Riverfront Interim Planning Overlay District (“IPOD”). The...more