Land Use Law Commons^™

Use Of Motive Evidence In Judicial Review Of Rezonings, Michael Allen Dymersky, Jesse Richardson

Law Faculty Scholarship

In this Article, Michael Allen Dymersky and Jesse J Richardson Jr examine the widespread rule of judicial review that a court should not consider evidence of motive in reviewing legislative actions by local government. They evaluate the rule in the context of a rezoning case in Highland County, Virginia, in which a group of plaintiffs conclusively established that improper motive prompted one supervisor to vote in favor of rezoning the subject property. The Highland County Circuit Court invoked the rule against judicial review of motive evidence to foreclose any consideration of the admitted improper personal motives that had inspired that …

Advisory Committee Recommendations - The Utton Center Model Interstate Water Compact, State Bar Center, State Bar Of New Mexico

Publications

No abstract provided.

Plenty Of Bark, But Not Much Bite: Putting Teeth Back Into Historic Preservation Enforcement In D.C., Winston Sale

Georgetown Law Historic Preservation Papers Series

Washington, D.C. has one of the largest inventories of protected historic buildings of any city in the United States. Over 25,000 structures stand within the city's borders that are either individually landmarked or contributing buildings within a historic district. These buildings are covered by statutory protection designed to prevent alteration or demolition without consultation with the Office of Historic Preservation (HPO) and/or the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). Enforcement of these protections relies on HPO's inspectors.

While the District currently employs two historic preservation inspectors, recent changes in the structure of HPO and other D.C. bureaucracies brought about a …

The Intersection Of Gender And Early American Historic Preservation: A Case Study Of Ann Pamela Cunningham And Her Mount Vernon Preservation Effort, Jill Teehan

Georgetown Law Historic Preservation Papers Series

American historic preservationists universally credit Ann Pamela Cunningham, the woman who saved George Washington's Mount Vernon home, as the chief architect of the historic preservation movement in the United States. However, little scholarship has considered how Cunningham's social position as a woman significantly contributed to her ability to save Mount Vernon, and thus jumpstart a national movement to save historically significant places. Using Cunningham and the organization she formed, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union (MVLA), widely regarded as the nation's first historic preservation society, this paper considers the intersection of gender and early historic preservation in the …

Accessory Apartments, Lauren Giles

Land Use Clinic

Use and regulation of accessory dwelling units, also known as accessory apartments, as a way to promote affordable housing and multi-generational housing options in single-family neighborhoods. Implementing an ADU ordinance requires local governments to balance the interests of homeowners, potential tenants, and the community at large. ADUs can benefit all parties if they are implemented properly. Community education and involvement are important to ensure support for ADUs. ADUs allow communities to grow in population without additional construction or the expense of new infrastructure. Accessory dwelling are not for everyone or every neighborhood, but when done properly in the appropriate area …

Demolition By Neglect: Repairing Buildings By Repairing Legislation, Anna Martin

Georgetown Law Historic Preservation Papers Series

One of the biggest problems today facing communities with historic preservation ordinances is delinquent owners who don’t have the will or the finances to maintain their historic properties and landmarks. Historic preservation law plays an important role in building a sense of patriotism and community togetherness, fostering education and providing incentives for aesthetically pleasing architecture. When residents can identify with a community, this creates a dialogue and sense of belonging. There are also environmental and psychological impacts of preserving old buildings, since human beings are positively affected by their surroundings when they feel a "sense of place." When buildings in …

Conservation Districts: A Solution For The Deanwood Neighborhood?, Kelly B. Bissinger

Georgetown Law Historic Preservation Papers Series

Preserving and protecting home ownership and the affordable housing in the United States remains a serious concern despite numerous federal programs intended to encourage home ownership and to provide affordable housing to low-income individuals and families. Often times, low-income people live in older, run-down neighborhoods in urban areas. There is a constant threat that developers will purchase properties in these areas in order to demolish or renovate existing structures and redevelop the area (this process is often referred to as "gentrification").

One of the consequences of gentrification is the displacement of low-income residents. In those instances where low-income residents own …

Local Inclusionary Housing Programs: Meeting Housing Needs, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This article explores the expansive legal authority that local governments in many states have to meet housing needs directly by providing for the production of new affordable homes. There is not a great deal of scholarship on the subject as we approach it. The emphasis in the academic literature in the field of affordable housing is on top-down, systemic, or theoretical solutions: urging reforms in federal and state finance programs, imploring courts to penalize localities that engage in exclusionary zoning, describing in detail a variety of inclusionary zoning techniques, or explaining relevant theories or the economics of the issue of …

If They Can Raze It, Why Can't I? A Constitutional Analysis Of Statutory And Judicial Religious Exemptions To Historic Preservation Ordinances, Erin Guiffre

Georgetown Law Historic Preservation Papers Series

In 1996, America almost lost a great piece of its history. The Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, located in Los Angeles, was in danger of being destroyed. The "Baroque-inspired Italianate structure" was completed in 1876 by architect Ezra F. Kysor. The cathedral is one of only a few structures from Los Angeles' early history remaining. As an important part of history and a beautiful piece of architecture, the cathedral was listed on California's register of historic places. In 1994, an earthquake damaged part of the building. After an inspection by the building and safety department in 1996, the only portion of …

Global Warming: Zoning May Be An Antidote To Climate Change, John R. Nolon, Jessica A. Bacher

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Through the use of transit oriented development (TOD) several New York municipalities have transformed into more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Contrary to popular belief, these municipalities proved that reduction of emissions is possible while still expanding economic growth. This article highlights several success stories in a variety of community landscapes beginning with a look at urban redevelopment in Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle, New York, and then transitions to suburban success stories in Orangetown, and several municipalities along the Bear Mountain Parkway.

Cityland – Vol. 4, No. 3, Center For New York City Law

CityLand - 2007

The April 2007 issue of CityLand covers major land use, preservation, and development actions across New York City. The City Council approved redevelopment of the former Jamaica Courthouse into a mixed-use building incorporating the historic facade. The Planning Commission approved the sale of a former firehouse with a restriction for community use and a 369-space garage in Battery Park City. BSA decisions included a contentious appeal over a Breezy Point home, variances for residential buildings in Tribeca, and legalization of a NoHo hotel. Landmarks held a new hearing on re-inclusion of a Douglaston home into a historic district and calendared …

This Land Is Whose Land? The Feasibility Of Extraterritorial Jurisdiction In West Virginia's Land Use Planning Laws, Lori Schwartzmiller

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Warning To States — Accepting This Invitation May Be Hazardous To Your Health (Safety, And Public Welfare): An Analysis Of Post-Kelo, Joshua Ulan Galperin

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Focusing on Delaware, this article will argue that the United States Supreme Court's decision in Kelo v. New London gave state legislatures an open invitation to shape their public use frameworks, but their responses must be measured and well-reasoned because the consequences of reactionary legislation may put a stranglehold on state and local governments trying to exercise eminent domain for unanimously accepted public uses. Part I will trace the most pertinent federal jurisprudence through Kelo. Part II will survey Delaware’s public use jurisprudence. Part III will introduce the Delaware General Assembly’s legislative response to Kelo. Part IV will serve as …

New Urbanism And Euclidian Zoning: Can They Co-Exist?, Janna Blasingame Custer

Land Use Clinic

Euclidian zoning served a purpose in its time. It separated land uses so that people could live away from industrial developments without the fear that such industries would locate to their backyard. But despite the positive effects of Euclidian zoning, many people believe it provides too little attention to character and historic design and promotes sprawl. New Urbanism offers an alternative to Euclidian zoning and many cities are beginning to utilize New Urbanism principles as they strive to bring back a sense of place to their communities. Challenges result when the New Urbanism principles conflict with the zoning in place, …

Beyond Fairness: What Really Works To Protect Farmland, Jesse Richardson

Law Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Controlling Big Box Retail Development In Georgia, Matt Roberts, Brian Wright, Elizabeth Simpson, Lauren Giles, Anna Hauser

Land Use Clinic

The rise of big box retail presents a number of serious challenges that can be addressed by both state legislatures and local governments. This paper provides strategies to help communities avoid "big box blight" caused by retailers abandoning existing sites for new stores, leaving empty eyesores in their wake.

Wetlands Mitigation: Retroactive Application Of Clean Water Act Requirements To Property Destroyed By Natural Disasters, John Stapleford

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review

No abstract provided.

The Law And Policy Beginnings Of Ecosystem Services, J.B. Ruhl, James Salzman

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of interest in ecosystem services from scientists, economists, government officials, entrepreneurs, and the media. This article traces the development of the ecosystem services concept in law and policy. We prepared it in connection with a symposium held at Florida State University in April 2006. The presentations at the symposium, which then developed into the articles in a special issue of the Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law (volume 22, issue 2), approached the topic of ecosystem services and the law from two perspectives. One set of presentations focused on the …

Summary Of Presentation: Climate Of Environmental Justice Conference, Michael B. Gerrard

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Michael B. Gerrard, Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP, New York, NY

2 pages.

Indigenous Peoples And Environmental Justice: The Impact Of Climate Change, Rebecca Tsosie

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Rebecca Tsosie, Professor of Law, Arizona State University

1 page.

Healing Earth, Helping Neighbors: Using Brownfield Remediation Projects To Advance Environmental Justice [Outline], Willie Shepherd

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Willie Shepherd, Chairman and Co-Founder, Kamlet Shepherd & Reichert, LLP

2 pages.

"Presentation Outline"

Deadly Waiting Game: An Environmental Justice Framework For Examining Natural And Man-Made Disasters Beyond Hurricane Katrina [Abstract], Robert D. Bullard

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Robert D. Bullard, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Clark Atlanta University

1 page.

Action On Global Warming: Making Room For Tribal Governments In The New Kind Of Wedge Issue, Dean B. Suagee

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Dean B. Suagee, Of Counsel, Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker LLP, Washington, D.C.

1 page.

Second Generation Environmental Justice: Challenges And Opportunities, Rachel D. Godsil

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Rachel D. Godsil, Professor of Law, Seton Hall Law School

3 pages.

Slides: Environmental Justice: Comprehensive Approach, Nicholas Targ

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Nicholas Targ, Holland & Knight, former Associate Director for Environmental Justice Integration, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

16 slides

Climate Changes And The Poorest Nations: Further Reflections On Global Inequality, Ruth Gordon

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Ruth Gordon, Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law

3 pages.

Climate Justice: The Next Movement [Outline], Richard J. Lazarus

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Richard J. Lazarus, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center

2 pages.

Creating A Roadmap For Achieving Intergenerational Environmental Justice, Clifford Rechtschaffen

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Clifford Rechtschaffen, Professor of Law and Director, JD Environmental Law Program; Co-Director, Environmental Law and Justice Clinic, Golden Gate University School of Law

5 pages.

Agenda: The Climate Of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock, University Of Colorado Boulder. School Of Law

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

On March 16-17, The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock conference gathered 125 academics and practitioners from around the country to consider the pressing issues facing low-income and/or communities of color that continue to be subjected to a disproportionate share of environmental maladies.

"Some people are more equal than others when it comes to bracing ourselves for the impacts of climate change," said conference organizer Professor Maxine Burkett. "Whether it's because poor folks lived in the lowest areas of New Orleans when Katrina floodwaters rushed in, or are less able to afford the cooling bill during increasingly frequent heat waves, …

Cityland – Vol. 4, No. 2, Center For New York City Law

CityLand - 2007

The March 2007 issue of CityLand covers significant land use, preservation, and development actions across New York City. The City Council approved a modified bulk waiver for West 60th Street Associates’ mixed-use development, limiting its applicability to Manhattan Community Board 7. Council also passed amendments to the Department of Buildings’ self-certification program, tightening rules and enforcement. The Planning Commission approved the creation of the Court Livingston Schermerhorn BID in Downtown Brooklyn. BSA decisions included a variance for residential conversion in Carroll Gardens and legalization of a New York Sports Club in SoHo. Landmarks rejected designation of the Renaissance Ballroom in …