Land Use & Zoning

Navigating the land use, zoning and SEQRA approvals processes from project inception to shovel in the ground
Our Approach

Our attorneys spend many nights of the week advocating before planning boards, zoning boards of appeal, legislative bodies, and other governmental agencies – or representing these boards as Special Counsel on complex development projects. That means leading our clients’ development teams, working with municipal officials and staff, providing strategic advice and substantive guidance, compiling a complete administrative record, organizing public outreach, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

And because many of the attorneys in our land use and zoning practice are also litigators, we position our clients for success if their application ends up in court. The attorney who fought in the trenches during the review process will bring a comprehensive knowledge of the administrative record when defending (or challenging) municipal determinations.

What We Do

Zarin & Steinmetz successfully guides clients through federal, state and local zoning, land use and environmental regulatory processes, including:

  • Site plan, special permit, and subdivision applications
  • Environmental impact review under SEQRA
  • Comprehensive plan & zoning text/map amendments
  • Public-Private Partnerships
  • Wetlands, steep slopes, floodplain, and other sensitive feature permits
  • Area and use variances
  • Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)
  • Padavan Law and Fair Housing Act (FHA) compliance
  • County Planning review under New York General Municipal Law
  • Administrative Law
  • SHPO review/historic preservation
  • Green building/LEED certification
Recent News
Zarin & Steinmetz secured a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) from the Piermont Planning Board. The project aims to revitalize a long-vacant and blighted property in the heart of the Village’s downtown area, which has stood as a reminder of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Partner Lee Lefkowitz represented the...
Partner Jody Cross successfully represented Eating Disorder Treatment of New York and Monte Nido & Affiliates through the approval process for a proposed 24/7 residential facility for girls with eating disorders in West Nyack, Town of Clarkstown. Approval was obtained under the Padavan Law, which is aimed at establishing smaller residential group home settings for...
Zarin & Steinmetz congratulates its client Azorim on last week’s opening of Miroza Tower III, which is located adjacent to the Ridge Hill Shopping Center and is the third residential tower to be completed by Azorim within the Ridge Hill community. This exciting project includes a 184-apartment rental building, featuring affordable housing units and amenities,...