Land Use & Zoning

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Major Long Island City Rezoning Enters Public Review [Alert]

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Lucas Lopes discuss the New York City Planning Commission's neighborhood plan for Long Island City.

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Owning land is one thing — being able to realize its full potential is another thing entirely. Cozen O’Connor’s preeminent Land Use & Zoning team works diligently to ensure that every square foot of client-controlled real estate is approved for use that maximizes productivity and value.

Experience

The firm represents developers, builders, property owners, investors, REITs, financial institutions, nonprofits, educational institutions, tenants, and government entities in all aspects of land use and zoning. Cozen O’Connor attorneys have handled hundreds of projects involving millions of square feet of real estate in all asset classes, including multifamily, retail, office, industrial/warehouse, mixed-use, hospitality, educational, municipal, or public infrastructure.

With attorneys based in offices across the country, Cozen O’Connor’s Chambers-ranked Real Estate Practice has both broad national reach as well as focused regional and local capabilities needed to lead land use engagements in major markets, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

We know from experience that almost every development project, whether corporate headquarters or affordable housing, will meet with some resistance. We also know how to anticipate, recognize, and resolve even complex issues. We engage early with stakeholders, listen actively to the perspectives of government officials and boards as well as residents and community groups, prioritize communication and candor, and identify creative ways to advance our clients' development goals.

Services

  • Pre-Development Analysis. Conduct due diligence, provide zoning and entitlement analyses, and coordinate with design professionals, engineers, and architects on development options to formulate a plan.
  • Discretionary Use Applications. Draft applications for land use approvals, zoning variances, conditional/special use permits, site plan and subdivision approvals, and zoning code amendments.
  • Land Use Advocacy. Represent developers and other stakeholders in application proceedings before officeholders, planning commissions, zoning boards, and other municipal bodies.
  • Community Partnership. Outreach to neighbors, resident associations, community boards, neighborhood organizations, and local councils to address community stakeholder concerns.
  • Litigation and Appeals. In rare cases when a negotiated resolution is not possible, litigate to protect clients’ legitimate property rights and defend land use approvals.
  • Post-Approval Agreements. Draft covenants and contracts establishing conditions and obligations regarding development and construction, land use regulatory compliance, and community agreements.

Distinction

Cozen O’Connor’s well-respected Land Use and Zoning team works in close collaboration with colleagues from a full range of related practices, including Environmental, Construction, Tax, and Real Estate Finance. It is also one of the few land use practices with the backing of a nationally renowned government affairs firm, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. Public Strategies professionals often support land use clients in strategic communications and negotiations with municipal elected leaders over their most sensitive and high-profile development projects.

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Experience

Publications

Major Long Island City Rezoning Enters Public Review [Alert]

April 23, 2025

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Lucas Lopes discuss the New York City Planning Commission's neighborhood plan for Long Island City.

New York City Proposes to Regulate Last-Mile Facilities [Alert]

April 07, 2025

Vivian Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss a proposed zoning amendment that would require special permits for large last-mile delivery facilities near residential areas in NYC.

Jamaica Rezoning Plan to Enable New Housing and Jobs Enters Public Review [Alert]

March 24, 2025

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Lucas Lopes discuss the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan that would facilitate the creation of 12,000 new residential units, including approximately 4,000 permanently affordable units, and over 2,000,000 square feet of commercial and community facility floor area in and around Downtown Jamaica in Southeast Queens.

New York City Housing Development Forecast: Partly Sunny for 2025

February 07, 2025

Ken Fisher discusses the persistent housing shortage in New York City in amNY.

Midtown South Mixed-Use Rezoning Plan Enters Public Review [Alert]

January 27, 2025

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Meenakshi Srinivasan discuss Mayor Adam's “Manhattan Plan,” and the next steps.

Cut the Red Tape Stopping New College Dorms

October 29, 2024

Ken Fisher calls for repealing a New York City rule that prevents private development of dormitories in amNY.

City-Led Atlantic Avenue Rezoning Application Enters Public Review [Alert]

October 16, 2024

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss New York City's proposal to rezone Atlantic Avenue to spur development and affordable housing.

Financial Incentives May Alleviate Affordable Housing Crisis

September 10, 2024

Eric DeBear and Madeline Shay Williams co-authored a Law360 article on the significance of financial incentives as a government tool to address affordable housing.

City Council Approves Bronx-Metro North Rezoning [Alert]

August 19, 2024

The New York City Council approved the Bronx-Metro North Neighborhood Plan, the first New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) led neighborhood plan certified and approved under the Adams administration.

[+] [View All Publications]

In The News

Major Long Island City Rezoning Enters Public Review [Alert]

April 23, 2025

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Lucas Lopes discuss the New York City Planning Commission's neighborhood plan for Long Island City.

Developers With Hudson Yards and Times Square Properties Get Big Tax Breaks — and Then Seek Even More

April 11, 2025

Ken Fisher was quoted in a recent article for THE CITY discussing developers’ rights to appeal property tax assessments, even when receiving substantial tax incentives.

New York City Proposes to Regulate Last-Mile Facilities [Alert]

April 07, 2025

Vivian Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss a proposed zoning amendment that would require special permits for large last-mile delivery facilities near residential areas in NYC.

Jamaica Rezoning Plan to Enable New Housing and Jobs Enters Public Review [Alert]

March 24, 2025

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Lucas Lopes discuss the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan that would facilitate the creation of 12,000 new residential units, including approximately 4,000 permanently affordable units, and over 2,000,000 square feet of commercial and community facility floor area in and around Downtown Jamaica in Southeast Queens.

Ken Fisher and Jerry Goldfeder Named to City & State New York’s 2025 Law Power 100

March 11, 2025

Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, and Jerry Goldfeder, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, have been named to City & State New York’s 2025 Law Power 100.

Adams-Appointed Charter Commission Carries On, Aiming at Development Overhaul

February 26, 2025

Ken Fisher discusses New York City’s approach to real estate development in relation to the housing crisis in THE CITY.

New York City Housing Development Forecast: Partly Sunny for 2025

February 07, 2025

Ken Fisher discusses the persistent housing shortage in New York City in amNY.

Midtown South Mixed-Use Rezoning Plan Enters Public Review [Alert]

January 27, 2025

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Meenakshi Srinivasan discuss Mayor Adam's “Manhattan Plan,” and the next steps.

Vivien Krieger Joins the Board of Directors of Plus Pool

January 07, 2025

Vivien Krieger has joined the board of directors of Plus Pool (+ POOL), a city and state-wide organization that aims to provide free and safe access to swimming in New York City’s East River.

[+] [View All News]

Contacts

Vivien Krieger

Co-Chair, Zoning, Land Use & Development

vkrieger@cozen.com

(212) 883-2228

Robert M. Careless

Vice Chair, Zoning, Land Use & Development

rcareless@cozen.com

(215) 665-4798

Meridith H. Moldenhauer

Co-Chair, Zoning, Land Use & Development

mmoldenhauer@cozen.com

(202) 747-0763

People

Awards

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 31 Practice Areas Nationwide, 54 Practice Areas Regionally

November 07, 2024

In 2024, Best Lawyers received more than 100,000 client references and observed a 65% increase in client participation in their survey.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 230 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Robert Careless Named To Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 List

May 01, 2023

Robert Careless, member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice, has been named to Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list. The list recognizes “40 remarkable individuals who are leaving an imprint on the region.”

21 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 03, 2022

Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

49 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 01, 2022

Super Lawyers has selected 49 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Kenneth Fisher Named Among City & State New York’s Real Estate Power 100

February 14, 2022

New York, February 14, 2022 — Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2022 Real Estate Power 100. The list recognizes New York City’s most influential real estate executives, public officials, lawmakers, labor leaders, activists, and advocates. Fisher was recognized for his “reputation as a respected authority working ‘at the intersection of law, politics, and community service.’”

Thomas Witt Awarded Philadelphia Bar Association’s Harris Ominsky Award

November 30, 2021

Thomas P. Witt, a member of the Real Estate Practice at Cozen O’Connor, will receive the Harris Ominsky Award at the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Real Property Section’s Annual Meeting on November 30, 2021.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

The 2021 Brooklyn Power 100

August 08, 2021

Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2021 Brooklyn Power 100.

47 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

May 28, 2021

Super Lawyers has selected 47 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Ken Fisher Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by New York Law Journal

July 01, 2020

Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, has been selected by the New York Law Journal to receive its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Fifty-Eight Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 05, 2020

Super Lawyers has selected 58 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized As a Best Law Firm in 24 Practice Areas Nationwide, 106 Practice Areas Regionally

November 05, 2019

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from leading attorneys in their field.

17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

September 27, 2019

Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2019 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

138 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America

August 28, 2019

Best Lawyers selected 138 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 21 of the firm’s national offices for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

13 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

April 25, 2019

The 2019 Washington, D.C, edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 13 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

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