Land Use

Our land use attorneys handle all matters related to land use matters, including zoning, due diligence, administrative, neighborhood and public hearings, ordinance amendments, permitting, subdivisions, variances, development and construction issues, economic development and local and state economic incentive packages, and government relations. We are able to guide development projects through the full range of requisite land use and environmental approvals as well as perform the necessary due diligence to resolve the myriad of zoning, title, development and environmental issues of a potential real estate transaction. Our attorneys also are regularly called upon to work for and with local planning offices, administrators and elected officials in the drafting and implementation of, and, at times, opposition to, ordinance and comprehensive plan revisions, the establishment of overlay districts and changes in policies and procedures.

To see a list of our representative experience, click "View Full Description."

Our land use attorneys handle all matters related to land use matters, including zoning, due diligence, administrative, neighborhood and public hearings, ordinance amendments, permitting, subdivisions, variances, development and construction issues, economic development and local and state economic incentive packages, and government relations. We are able to guide development projects through the full range of requisite land use and environmental approvals as well as perform the necessary due diligence to resolve the myriad of zoning, title, development and environmental issues of a potential real estate transaction. Our attorneys also are regularly called upon to work for and with local planning offices, administrators and elected officials in the drafting and implementation of, and, at times, opposition to, ordinance and comprehensive plan revisions, the establishment of overlay districts and changes in policies and procedures.

The extent of Williams Mullen’s land use practice allows its attorneys to continually establish new and maintain existing relationships with local governing bodies, commissions and administrators, as well as relevant developers and civic associations. The group’s land use practice is supported by an experienced staff of professional planners and legal assistants who facilitate the provision of prompt, cost-efficient service.

Representative Experience

• Represent West Broad Village, a 115-acre urban mixed-use development in Henrico County, Va., resulting in a total investment exceeding a value of $1 billion. Provided counsel on all matters related to land planning, amendment of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, rezoning and land use approval, environmental permitting, acquisition and related financing, Plan of Development (site plan) approval, subdivision, construction and related financing, condominium structure, owners’ association documents, residential lot sales and landlord lease negotiations. Approved master plan includes over 500,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 884 residential units, 430 hotel rooms, and 600,000 square feet of office space in two 18-story towers.
• Rezoned 185 acres for The Village of Swift Creek in the County of Chesterfield, Va. Mixed-use development includes a shopping center with outparcels, office, light industrial, and up to 790 multifamily residential units. Representation included a waiver of development standards to permit location of company’s standard architectural style within shopping center and obtaining additional signage for shopping center.
• Counsel for the Shops at Stratford Hill in the City of Richmond, Va. Created and obtain approval of the first Community Unit Plan in 15 years in the City for a 420,000 square foot shopping center that would replace an existing depreciating center. Anchor retailers are Ukrop's and Target and at the time resulted in the second largest open air retail center in the City of Richmond. Work involved all aspects of resolution of various title issues, economic development incentives, and resolution of zoning environmental, traffic and utility issues.
• Represented developer of 907-acre mixed-use development off Route 17 in Gloucester County, Va, named The Villages of Gloucester. Assisted with rezoning to permit a planned unit development golf course community, 21-acre business park and mix of housing types with up to 885 dwelling units. Amenities include a public par-72 championship golf course with a practice course and driving range, pro shop, and bar and grill; indoor and outdoor swimming pools; tennis courts; 13-acre public park and walking trails. Unique design features a village center with a mix of uses and housing types, significant open space, landscaping, and buffering that includes over 172 acres of parks. 47 percent of the land is contained in scenic open space with at least six miles of walking trails. The plan contains neo-traditional street and alley design, plus traffic calming measures. All homes are within a three-minute walk of a community center, recreation facility or open space.