We help our clients maximize the value of their investments and projects by bringing to them an insider’s knowledge of government entities.

Our New York zoning and land use team procures zoning permits, variances and other land use related approvals. We provide our clients with strategic advice for site acquisition, project management and overall planning and development projects. We help clients anticipate potentially difficult scenarios to minimize risk on investments. Clients turn to us for counsel on tax incentive benefits, tax-exempt financing and privatization approvals from various governmental entities on the local, state and federal levels.

With an extensive background in public service, our lawyers have considerable experience successfully representing clients before agencies, such as the New York City Council, New York City Planning Commission, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, New York City Board of Standards and Appeals, New York City Economic Development Corporation, New York City Industrial Development Agency, Empire State Development Corporation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Areas of Focus

• Zoning Permits and Other Land Use Related Approvals and Entitlements
• Project Development in Housing, Transportation and Joint Public-Private Initiatives
• Strategic Planning Advice for Site Development
• Negotiating Air Rights Sales and Purchases
• Site analysis for RFPs/RFIs

Experience

• Alexandria Center for Science and Technology: Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a life science REIT, in land use acquisition and deal for creation of the Alexandria Center for Science and Technology at the East River Science Park in New York City.
• Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village: The Blackstone Group in land use matters regarding its acquisition of Manhattan’s largest apartment complex, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village.
• Citi Field: The New York Mets in the development of Citi Field.
• Domino Sugar Factory: Two Trees Management in the land use process for the redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Factory site into a mixed-use complex.
• Kingsbridge Armory: KNIC Partners LLP in the multi-federal land use process for the proposed $320 million redevelopment and leasing of Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx into the world’s largest indoor ice facility which will include nine year-round indoor ice rinks, a 5,000-seat main rink and 50,000-square-foot community space.
• 165th Street and Whitlock Avenue: Park Management in the rezoning of the property located at 165th Street and Whitlock Avenue in the South Bronx. This application is one of the first to be reviewed under New York City’s new Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program. The project will be approximately 220,000 square feet with 474 residential units.

• Corporate
• Litigation
• Real Estate
• Tax Compliance & Controversy