Why Conditional Use Permits Are Often Harder Than Rezoning ASK: Why does a Conditional Use Permit feel more difficult than changing zoning? ANSWER: Conditional Use Permits (CUP) place a project under a microscope. They are site-specific, discretionary approvals that rely heavily on judgment. Rezoning asks whether a use belongs in an area. A Conditional Use […]
When a “Minor” Zoning Issue Becomes a Major Deal Risk ASK: The zoning issue seems small. Do we really need to worry about it? ANSWER: Zoning issues are rarely isolated. Even small deviations have consequences that ripple through a project. Setbacks, parking counts, height limits, use definitions, and access requirements are often described as minor […]
How to Navigate Conflicting City Department Comments Without Losing Months ASK: Fire requires one solution. Engineering requires another. How do we resolve conflicting comments without stalling the project? ANSWER: Conflicting department comments are not an exception in development. They are the norm. What surprises many developers is that no one inside the city is responsible […]
What Happens After Planning Commission Approval? A Step Most Developers Underestimate ASK: We received Planning Commission approval. Why does it still feel like the project could fall apart? ANSWER: Planning Commission approval feels decisive. Votes are cast. Motions pass. Conditions are read into the record. Teams breathe for the first time in months. And then […]
How to Spot Red Flags in a Land Deal Before Money Goes Hard ASK: I found what looks like the perfect site. How do I know if there are hidden risks before I make it official? ANSWER: Every piece of land tells a story, and some chapters can get very expensive. Developers fall in love […]
Top 5 Reasons Projects Get Stuck in Plan Check (and How to Avoid Them) ASK: We finally got through entitlements, but now we’re stuck in plan check. What’s causing the holdup? ANSWER: Plan check is where great projects go to stall. It’s the technical review after approvals, where every sheet, code, and calculation gets dissected […]
Entitlement Risk 101: How to Structure Land Deals When Approvals Take Time ASK: We’ve got a great site, but entitlements might take a year or more. How do I structure the deal so I’m not overexposed during approvals? ANSWER: Entitlements are where real estate deals are won or lost. You can find a perfect site, […]
Why “Time” Is the Most Expensive Line Item in Development ASK: Construction costs keep going up, but lately it feels like time is what’s really costing us. Why is time the biggest expense in development, and how do I protect against it? ANSWER: In real estate, everyone tracks dollars, but not enough people track days. […]
How to Run the Numbers Before You Commit to a Development Project ASK: I’ve got a piece of land and a concept. How do I know if the numbers make sense before I dive in? ANSWER: In development, “good idea” doesn’t always mean “good deal.” Before you commit to a site, you need to know […]
The Art of Structuring Joint Ventures in Development Projects ASK: I’m partnering on a new development. How do we structure a JV that’s fair, and future-proof? ANSWER: Joint ventures can be great or horrible just like any partnership. At their best, JVs bring together complementary strengths: land, capital, expertise, and relationships. At their worst, they […]