In a post pandemic world which has seen a seismic shift in living and working habits, it is no secret that the government wants to update the planning system. Whilst we wait for Gove's "transformative" Levelling Up and...more
Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson Pushes for Greener City Buildings Philadelphia’s new public buildings may soon be held to a higher environmental standard than before. Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson introduced new...more
Although City Council was planning on returning to in-person meetings later in September, Council President Clarke announced that City Council will continue to meet virtually due to the spread of the Delta variant. Its first...more
At the height of the pandemic, in response to local restaurants suffering from shuttering their indoor dining services, New York City implemented an emergency “Open Restaurants Program” that suspended certain zoning location...more
The Department of City Planning’s Open Restaurants zoning text amendment entered public review on June 21, 2021. The text amendment will remove geographic restrictions on where sidewalk cafes can be located within NYC, as...more
The Ballard Spahr Zoning and Land Use Team is continuing to monitor all aspects of the Philadelphia land use approval process during the COVID-19 emergency, including the issuance of zoning and building permits, regulation of...more
Beginning May 29, 2020, Northern Virginia entered Phase 1 of Gov. Ralph Northam’s “Forward Virginia Plan.” Phase 1 permits greater use of outdoor spaces, particularly for restaurants and health clubs. Use of those spaces will...more
The Government’s immediate planning response to the coronavirus pandemic taking hold in the UK focussed on ensuring that planning committee meetings could continue and take place remotely and on the introduction of some...more
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state and several local jurisdictions have issued orders/rules in the last few weeks that affect not only the timing of processing land use and planning entitlements, but also the...more
The New Jersey Division of Local Government Services (the “Division”) provided operational guidance this week, encouraging municipal Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Adjustment to engage in telephonic and/or virtual...more
Land Use Matters provides information and insights into legal and regulatory developments, primarily at the Los Angeles City and County levels, affecting land use matters, as well as new CEQA appellate decisions. ...more
- Shelter in Place orders have forced cities to reevaluate the procedures for zoning application submittals, staff reviews, and public hearings. - Most cities in DFW are now accepting most zoning applications...more
In response to the COVID-19 emergency, Governor Northam and various state and local officials have issued multiple orders and guidance concerning the continuance of critical state and local government functions during the...more