Zoning, Development and Land Use
A large part of Neal & Leroy's practice is zoning and development and other land use permits. We represent clients before various zoning agencies, including the City of Chicago’s Zoning Administrator, Zoning Board of Appeals, City Council Zoning Committee, Chicago Plan Commission and Community Development Commission.
We advise clients on how to plan their projects and present them to the community and to City officials and planners. In this process, we counsel our clients as to the law and work with their architects, engineers, traffic consultants and others to formulate a project that will meet the needs of the clients, the community and the law.
In the complex process to obtain approval, we guide our clients through the application process, the required notices, meetings with local officials and the community, the presentation of evidence before planning and legislative bodies and trial. As a result of our efforts, clients have been able to construct such projects as the North Bridge development, the Medinah Temple Development and John Hancock Center renovations.
Key Representative Matters
- Special assistant state attorney to Putnam County for consulting
on the redevelopment, revitalization, and rehabilitation of the County’s steel mill. - Representation of a Chicago area university in expansion and improvements of its medical campus including acquisition of property, rezoning and entitlements, and various permitting processes.
- Legal counsel in providing oversight, planning and navigation of municipal process and procedures in order to build a healthcare entity.
- Representation of a Chicago area university to expand its South Loop Campus and assist in obtaining the necessary City approvals to construct a new addition to its campus.
- Counsel for Village of Bellwood in its development for a 42-acre regional shopping center.
- Counsel for developers of over 100 million square feet of property throughout the City of Chicago, including serving as lead zoning counsel on one of the largest planned developments in the City’s history.
- Counsel for City of Chicago and the Chicago Music and Dance Theater in Planned Development and Lakefront Protection Ordinance Process for Chicago’s Millennium Park.
- Counsel for North Park University in all phases of the development of its Master Plan for its 18-acre campus on the City’s northwest side.
- Counsel for Comcast in connection with the development of its Regional Technical Facility, in Homewood, Illinois.
- Acquired and rezoned land for Chicago Board of Education, Public Building Commission of Chicago, Chicago Public Library and Chicago Park District for the construction of over 50 new schools, additions, parks and libraries.
- Assisted counsel in representing the Illinois Medical District Commission for its redevelopment projects.
- Assisted counsel in representing the City of Chicago regarding economic redevelopment projects.
- Successfully completed zoning map amendments for various public and private clients.
- Represent City of Chicago in redevelopment of the historic Carson, Pirie Scott & Company flagship store at State and Madison streets.