Land Development
Alston & Bird is one of the few firms to recognize the intersection of a multitude of legal disciplines required for the successful development of land. Our Land Development Team protects our clients' interests in the areas of the environment, entitlements, zoning and permitting, creation, transfer and vesting of development rights, economic incentives, ad valorem taxation, utilities regulation, water and natural resources, historic preservation, endangered species, eminent domain and real estate litigation. We bring a comprehensive knowledge of the federal, state, regional and local laws affecting the development and use of real estate.
Alston & Bird’s Land Development Team possesses a unique combination of legal and urban planning expertise. We bring a comprehensive knowledge of land use and urban design policy affecting the development and use of real estate. Our Land Development Team includes not only lawyers, but also talented land use planners and governmental affairs professionals. This expertise and experience frequently allows our lawyers to work alongside public officials as well as city planners to obtain favorable results, avoiding protracted time delays or the need for litigation.
Our Land Development practice is as diverse as our clients. We have assisted clients with obtaining land development entitlements for all types and sizes of development and redevelopment projects, including residential, mixed-use and master planned communities, commercial and retail centers, entertainment facilities, heavy and light industrial operations and infrastructure projects.
Our Land Development practice extends to the legislative arena through our work with our Legislative and Public Policy colleagues. With our many legislative contacts and relationships in Washington, D.C. and throughout the country, including New York, Georgia, California, North Carolina and Texas, and within regulatory agencies of the various states, we are able to function as an "early warning system" for our clients, alerting them to new legislative developments and, when necessary, providing direct or indirect advocacy at the highest levels to advance and protect their interests.
GOVERNMENTAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
As a result of continual advances and expansion in the regulation of real estate, land use and development is no longer exclusively local in nature. The process of land development is now regulated by federal, state, regional and local government. As a result, our land development lawyers deal regularly with the following agencies and regulations:
- State agencies involved in land development issues, including fire and safety, mining, transportation, water, air, fish and game, community affairs and regional planning agencies.
- Federal agencies involved in land development issues, including, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
- Local and regional agencies with permitting authority for land development projects, including elected and appointed officials and local planning, environmental and transportation agencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Our Land Development projects are frequently required to undergo environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the state NEPA equivalents, such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). We guide our clients through these environmental review processes, working with regulatory agencies and technical consultants on the full range of environmental issues to ensure that the environmental documents comply with all applicable laws and to prepare for any anticipated litigation. While the environmental review process can be challenging, our experience in this area is unparalleled, leading to successful outcomes for our clients and their projects.
WHY ALSTON & BIRD?
Our Land Development practice — in association with our colleagues in legislative and public policy, real estate finance and investment, environmental, state and local tax, and construction and government contracts — provides a comprehensive array of legal services for the development of real property.
Simply put, our Land Development practice is at the forefront of this ever-changing area of the law. We are poised to provide the most comprehensive approach to best serve our clients.