Active throughout Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland, our land use attorneys develop and implement legal strategies to take projects from the conceptual stage through application and completion. From pre-acquisition due diligence to obtaining variances, rezoning, special exceptions, and other entitlements for new developments or changes in use, our team works closely with regulators and local governments to expedite the approvals process. We also counsel clients on zoning and planning, landmarks and historic preservation, building code requirements, environmental reviews, public review requirements, as well as on post-entitlement administrative issues, including permitting, signage, subdivisions, and easements.
Whether working on small housing developments or multifamily, high-rise, and office towers, our attorneys adopt a holistic approach to each matter, helping manage the project team so that all parties involved, from architect to environmental consultant, are communicating effectively, and necessary information is being exchanged. To deflect possible challenges by project opponents, we maintain a meticulous administrative record throughout the process, while advising on substantive issues and procedural questions. Similarly, by providing studied guidance on community relations, engaging with community representatives to address any local concerns, and negotiating with elected officials, we help clients avoid costly delays or litigation. When necessary, our team engages Venable's deep bench of experienced land use litigators to defend against challenges to their development approvals in court. No matter how complex a project is, our goal is always the same – helping our clients get the job done on time and under budget.