Practice Areas & Industries: Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

Practice/Industry Group Overview

In response to the challenges that characterize real estate development, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP formed a Zoning & Development Practice Group to assist clients with the multitude of matters including legislative and administrative approval processes in connection with the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, sale/exchange or use of real estate. We have represented clients in significant residential developments, office/industrial parks, telecom sitings, shopping centers and a variety of institutional projects such as religious institutions, schools and public/private utilities. As part of the counseling process, we offer practical insights in overcoming the logistical and political challenges of assembling and developing tracts of land for redevelopment.

Services Available

In particular, we have experience in handling the following matters:

• Administrative Hearings and Appeals
• Annexation and Detachment Proceedings
• Boundary Disputes
• Brownfield Sites and, Covenants Not to Sue
• Community Reinvestment Act, Enterprise Zone, Special Improvement, Tax Increment Financing and Urban Renewal Districts and Agreements
• Condemnation Negotiations and Proceedings
• Conditional and Non-Conforming Uses, Variances and Special Exceptions
• Easements and Rights-of-Way
• Flood Zone and Wetland Delineations
• Letters of Intent and Leases
• Private Covenants and Restrictions
• Public Utility Status
• Railroad Rights-of-Way
• Redevelopment Agreements and Other Public/Private Partnering Arrangements
• Rezoning (Text and Map Amendments)
• Stadium and Arena Development
• Subdivision and Dedication
• Takings
• Telecom Siting and Facilities Management
• Title Insurance
• Underground Storage Tanks
• Utility Service Contracts
• Real Estate Tax Appeals and Exemption
• Zoning Use Opinions

Representative Experience

Village
Village
Negotiated and guided passage of complex Planned Unit Development Zone with developer and multiple governmental and private stakeholders for large redevelopment of industrial property into mixed office and retail use

City of Pittsburgh, Members of Pittsburgh City Council and Members of the Historic Review Commission
Grant v. City of Pittsburgh, et al.
Represented Defendants City of Pittsburgh, members of the Pittsburgh City Council and members of the Historic Review Commission in a suit seeking in excess of $10 million for fraud, breach of contract and various constitutional claims, including Section 1983 claims, based upon the designation of a proposed development site as a historical landmark.  The case was settled.

City
City
Successfully prosecuted multiple property annexations for City in front of County Commissioners, including appeal to Court of Common Pleas.