area of practice
ZONING & LAND DEVELOPMENT
An Experienced Team with Unusual Perspective
We’re proud that many of our clients rely on us to help them navigate complex zoning and land development matters across Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. It’s our belief that a key advantage in assisting our clients – both municipalities and developers – is our first-hand understanding of the goals and constraints of public as well as private sector entities.
Although the foundation of our practice is in representing municipalities, we purposely maintain an active practice representing developers in boroughs or townships to which we do not serve as solicitor. We firmly believe that the perspective we bring as a result of this work enables us to help municipalities and developers collaborate and negotiate more effectively, and achieve better outcomes.
For Developers & Related Entities
Developers and owner-operator entities have turned to our attorneys for counsel on complex zoning and land development matters across Southeastern Pennsylvania. These clients include homebuilders, multi-unit residential developers, and retail business owners with projects in the region.
Our work centers on helping clients successfully navigate local and state regulatory approvals and permits related to property development and use. In this capacity, we have helped developers and related entities with projects ranging from single retail locations to major new housing developments. From subdivision approvals and zoning amendments to conditional use and environmental permitting, our team has the experience and profile to help developer clients succeed.
Our team also works with developers to resolve zoning and land development-related disputes. We represent developers in zoning board hearings and have represented numerous clients in related disputes in Pennsylvania courts.
For Municipalities & Zoning Hearing Boards
Clients turn to us for our extensive background advising municipalities and zoning hearing boards on subdivision, land development and land use matters in Pennsylvania. We regularly counsel on zoning enforcement, and we draft and amend land use ordinances. Our attorneys draft and negotiate development, financial security, and stormwater management agreements between our clients and developers.
In addition, we routinely represent municipalities in zoning and land use disputes in front of local zoning hearing boards, Courts of Common Pleas, and the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
zoning & land development
OUR TEAM
Clients benefit not only from our substantial experience handling zoning and land use matters for Pennsylvania
municipalities – and developers with projects in the region – but also from our attorneys’ additional roles and experience.
Our team is led by Sean Kilkenny, Sheriff of Montgomery County and a retired member of the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Team members’ experience includes the following:
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In-House Counsel to a regional home builder
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Lieutenant Colonel and former Staff Judge Advocate of the 94th Training Division, U.S. Army Reserve
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Professor at Temple University School of Law
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Montgomery County LGBT Business Council, Founding Board Member
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Council President, Jenkintown Borough
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Senior Legal Instructor at the U.S. Army Military Police School
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Chair, Narberth Civil Service Commission
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Chair, Montgomery Bar Association’s Municipal Law Committee
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Appointee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s County Records Committee
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Judicial Fellow, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
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Assistant District Attorney, Lycoming County and Montgomery County
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Executive Board, Philadelphia Barristers Association
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Board Member, Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
Our municipal law attorneys also have experience as leaders and board directors of area nonprofits focused on education, health services, youth athletics, and local politics.
zoning & land development
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
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Facilitated one of the most significant conservation transactions in the history of Montgomery County by guiding collaboration between developers and municipalities on the 400+ acre Erdenheim Farms property, ensuring protection of 140 acres through use of sophisticated land preservation and financing techniques.
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Represented Kennett Township in purchase of 45 acres of farmland, working with property owner, conservation organization and other entities to preserve land and create Barkingfield Park, the township’s first park under its sole authority
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Prevailed on behalf of Hatfield Township in recovering substantial funds from a bankrupt developer to help complete a residential subdivision.
