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<br /> local officials on a redevelopment project concept is like rezon- � issues. Revise devel- 5
<br /> may actually open the door to expedited ing because it involves a 7 opment plans without 4.
<br /> governmental approvals, public financing, discretionary decision of giving away the deal. For 010
<br /> land assembly, and a host of other tools to the local government. It is instance, if planning staff 2.
<br /> attract redevelopment. designed to provide flexibility for wants increased landscaping and
<br /> Another opportunity that a redevelop- large-scale projects.For instance,if a reduced signage, and signage is criti-
<br /> ment site provides is good proximity to commercial corner has been slow to cal to success, increase landscaping. of
<br /> existing support services,workforce, public redevelop, the city may consider a PUD Meet with decision makers early to
<br /> services,and infrastructure.The most likely designation to reduce parking require- gauge support. Learn their policy hot but- N
<br /> redevelopment opportunities include:older ments and increase development density to tons. For instance, opponents like to raise
<br /> shopping center sites, industrial sites, and encourage developers to acquire the site. issues such as traffic, noise, glare, property
<br /> excess public facilities, such as trucking By doing this,the site turns over to a high- values, and demand for services as reasons
<br /> facilities, transfer stations, school sites, and er and better use and increases local tax to deny the project.If these are hot buttons
<br /> maintenance facilities. base. Usually the trade off is higher devel- for decision makers,tell them how you will
<br /> opment, more landscaping, more ameni- solve their problems.
<br /> Prepare for the Review Process ties, and the like.
<br /> In most cases, business leaders favor sites Assemble the Right Team
<br /> that are already zoned and subdivided for Conduct Land-Use Reconnaissance nutting together a qualified team is essen-
<br /> their corporate or business use. This is a ost business leaders are on a tight 1 tial to any development or redevelop-
<br /> good way to efficiently deploy develop- 1 V timetable to produce sales, or other ment project.This team will usually include
<br /> ment efforts and reduce the time to open a concrete results. It may seem counterpro- an architect, engineer, landscape planner,
<br /> new site. However, once the easy sites are ductive to recommend that you take time to and development attorney. More involved
<br /> "cherry-picked," the tendency is to turn it study local land-use plans, but this will projects may require the expertise of a traffic
<br /> over to someone else to find a good site,or improve your chance of success. Always engineer,wetland engineer,fiscal consultant,
<br /> •
<br /> Know your legal position as leverage or as a
<br /> backstop to a difficult or contentious staff member.
<br /> head to the next location on the target review the city record.Ask for copies of the and frequently a graphic artist to prepare
<br /> map. You should consider "rezoning" and comprehensive plan, land use map, zoning drawings and renderings of the project.
<br /> "planned unit development"alternatives to ordinance, environmental controls, as well Business leaders who understand rede-
<br /> obtain an advantage over competitors in as the prior history of the site and even the velopment opportunities and the rigors of
<br /> terms of location. prior history of related sites. land development practice can add value
<br /> Rezoning typically involves a discre- Take a planning approach to land to existing real estate assets and locate
<br /> tionary decision by local officials to change development. Most regulators do not new sites for business expansion.The key
<br /> the classification of land from one zone to want to be threatened with a lawsuit. (On to success in this arena is patience, the
<br /> another. In other cases, rezoning may take the other hand, it is important to know i right team of experts, and the good judg-
<br /> the form of a text amendment to clarify that your legal position as leverage or as a back- ment to know when to go the distance for
<br /> a certain commercial,retail,or service use is stop to a difficult or contentious staff a prized site.
<br /> allowed in a zoning district. member.) You want to know as much as
<br /> Commercial or residential neighbors are the other guy. Review the sources of
<br /> the likely opponents to any rezoning effort. authority for development. These include Bill Griffith (wgrfliith@lhd/.com) is a share-
<br /> Sometimes, opposition can be satisfied the comprehensive plan,zoning map,zon- holder with Larkin, Hofman, Daly &
<br /> by creating performance standards writ- ing controls, subdivision regulations, Lindgren, Ltd. He practices in the areas of
<br /> ten into the zoning text. If the communi- environmental quality regulations, storm real estate, land use, environmental review, o
<br /> ty is concerned about noise, traffic, light- water regulations, wetland regulations, municipal law, and administrative law. o
<br /> ing, or trash handling, performance stan- and parking requirements.
<br /> dards can address these concerns and keep Meet early with planning, engineering,
<br /> the developer in a good site. and building staff. Keep notes of meetings,
<br /> The planned unit development (PUD) document resolution of key development
<br /> Reprinted with permission of the publisher.(952)844-0400 2
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