Office-to-Apartment Conversions – A Good Idea, but Tricky to Pull Off (Audio)
The Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act (H. 4977), signed into law on August 6, 2024, includes provisions intended to promote residential housing construction. These provisions: (1) require municipalities to permit accessory...more
Several cities in California successfully petitioned for a writ of mandate seeking the invalidation of California Senate Bill 9 (the HOME Act)....more
Housing advocates touted the “Builder’s Remedy” as a clever way to circumvent NIMBY politics and get more housing built. But in the two months since the law has been available to Bay Area developers, few have submitted...more
Attorney Kimberlee Stafford studies office-to-apartment conversions as a possible response to the housing crisis. Apartments, Commercial Buildings, Conversion, Office Closures, Residential Leases, Single-Family Housing,...more
UC Berkeley ordered to freeze enrollment due to CEQA lawsuit Associated Press – March 3 The California Supreme Court ordered UC Berkeley last Thursday to freeze its undergraduate enrollment at 2020-21 levels...more
The economy is strong and growing — perhaps too quickly as the labor market remains tight. A surprising number of people are choosing to stay out of the labor market, for now, contributing to the supply chain disruptions...more
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, on Sept. 16, 2021, signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 9, a landmark law that would allow for the ministerial approval of certain housing development projects containing up to two dwelling units...more
There’s no doubt about it, the U.S. real estate market is strong. With low interest rates and low unemployment rates, it is not surprising that the National Association of Realtors included parts of Florida among the top 10...more
In Matter of Sagaponack Ventures, LLC v Bd. of Trustees of the Vil. of Sagaponack, the Second Department upheld the denial of an Article 78 proceeding seeking to vacate and annul a determination of the Board of Trustees of...more
As buildable land becomes increasingly scarce, many single-family developers are looking at current and former golf courses as prime sites for redevelopment. What makes golf courses so appealing in this regard? Originally...more
Portland planning staff is proposing strict new limits on the size of houses that can be built or remodeled in most areas of the City. Included in the latest draft of its “Residential Infill Project” code amendments, the...more
California Coastal Act Blocks Housing Project in Venice Despite Earlier Approvals - Judge James C. Chalfant of the California Court of Appeal on Sept. 29, 2016, affirmed a lower court ruling denying a developer’s petition...more
Beginning January 11, 2016, Lake County educational impact fees will increase to $9,324.00 for single family units, $8,045.00 for multi-family units and $5,856.00 for mobile homes located within mobile homes parks....more
In Berkeley Hillside Preservation v. City of Berkeley, No. S201116 (Cal. Mar. 2, 2015) (slip op), the California Supreme Court overturned an appeals court ruling that banned developers from using an exemption under the...more