Cliff Ashburner, LEEP AP, is a member of the Firm's Real Estate & Lending Service Team. He advises and represents developers and others in appearances before planning commissions, boards of zoning adjustment, city councils and courts. He is also proficient in sustainable development issues, including US Green Building Council's LEED certification process for sustainable design and construction.
Representative Matters
· Successfully navigated a complex entitlement process for a large distribution facility, including annexation, amendments to local zoning ordinances and legislative approvals
· Handled all legal work for a multi-family development from acquisition contract through zoning and other entitlements to construction financing
· Worked with local businesses and property owners in land use related matters including securing permits and zoning approvals for building expansions, nonconforming uses, rezoning, variances, and defending zoning violation citations and property maintenance code enforcement matters
· Authored several zoning regulation and code amendments in different jurisdictions to assist clients and/or industries
· Successfully obtained 75% reduction in property assessment, resulting in corresponding reduction in property tax for former industrial site
· Drafted several subdivision covenants and condominium master deeds
· Represented borrowers in a variety of development financing transactions
· Drafted access easements and operating covenants for a variety of commercial developments
Professional Experience
· Former Partner, Bardenwerper, Talbott & Roberts, PLLC
Honors
· LEED Accredited Professional (First Kentucky attorney to obtain the accreditation)
· Recognized as one of the "Top Lawyers" in the area of Land Use & Zoning Law by Louisville Magazine, March 2012.
Professional Activities and Memberships
· Kentucky Chapter-United States Green Building Council; Chairman, Board of Directors
· Homebuilders Association of Louisville, Affiliate Member, Green Building Committee and Land Development Committee
· Greater Louisville, Inc., Energy and Environment Committee
· Kentucky Center for Renewable Energy Research and Environmental Stewardship, Board of Directors
· Kentucky, Louisville and American Bar Associations
Civic Involvement
· Leadership Louisville, Bingham Fellows Program, Class of 2010, Topic-"Positioning Louisville as a Green Leader"
· Leadership Louisville's Focus Louisville Program, Class of 2010
· Leadership Kentucky, Class of 2011
· Bluegrass Tomorrow, Board of Directors
(Also at Lexington Office)