Highlights from Obermayer’s Zoning & Land Use Practice

The start of a new year offers the perfect moment to step back and look at the ground we’ve covered — quite literally. Obermayer’s Zoning & Land Use Practice has long been recognized for its depth of experience, but just as important is the unique geographic reach of that experience. Our experience spans the Commonwealth and adjoining states, touching communities from dense urban corridors to fast-growing suburban hubs and rural municipalities, navigating complex development pressures.

Because zoning and land use challenges rarely look the same from one county to the next, our team has built a practice grounded in regional fluency. We understand the nuances of local ordinances, the priorities of municipal officials, and the unique character of each community we serve. That on‑the‑ground familiarity allows us to guide clients through projects of every scale — from transformative redevelopment efforts to highly specialized approvals.

In this inaugural quarterly newsletter, we’re highlighting a selection of recent matters that showcase the breadth of our regional footprint. These summaries reflect not only the diversity of the projects we handle, but also the trust our clients place in us to navigate the regulatory landscape wherever their goals take them.

As our practice continues to grow, so does our commitment to supporting responsible development throughout the Commonwealth and adjoining states. We’re excited to share these updates with you and look forward to continuing the conversation in the months ahead.

Southeastern PA

• Obtained land development approvals for a 250,000 square foot build-to-suit industrial office building in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, including zoning relief to increase the permitted height of the warehouse despite neighbor opposition.
• Successfully obtained zoning and preliminary land development approvals for a 43-unit age-qualified luxury carriage home development in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, including the grant of a use variance and multiple dimensional variances after years of negotiations with the municipality surrounding a 2015 zoning decision.
• Represented a national redevelopment firm in the $225.5 million acquisition and redevelopment of the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery, the largest redevelopment site in the city. The team advised on zoning, land use, and entitlement matters to support the transformation of a 1,300-acre site into a mixed-use, industrial, and logistics hub.
• Represented a national industrial developer in the acquisition, zoning, and entitlement of multiple industrial and logistics facilities across the Philadelphia region, with a total deal value of approximately $75 million
• Currently represents the Philadelphia Housing Authority on affordable housing and mixed-use redevelopment projects across the city, totaling approximately $110 million, advising on zoning relief, land use strategy, and City Council approvals.
• Represented a federally designated EB-5 regional center on multiple real estate investment projects utilizing EB-5 capital, totaling approximately $55 million, advising on zoning and entitlement compliance and municipal coordination.
• Assisted convenience store operator in obtaining land use and zoning approvals for its expansion into southeastern Pennsylvania;
• Represented national homebuilders in obtaining land use and zoning approvals for single-family, townhome, and condominium units in southeastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley;
• Assisted multiple clients with adaptive reuse, redevelopment, and conversions of existing buildings to residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects in southeastern Pennsylvania.
• Secured approvals for the redevelopment of a former Borough municipal site for an upscale boutique hotel comprised of over 40 guest rooms and a restaurant, including a height variance and resolution of appeal.
• Completed the development of two mixed-use buildings in Dublin Borough, including zoning relief to permit 72 apartment units, ground-floor retail space, and a rooftop amenity on a 3-acre parcel.
• Finalized entitlements and sale of a 20-unit townhome development in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that was the subject of a contested 2012 settlement stipulation, including multiple parties
• Finalized the entitlements and acquisition of a mixed-use development in New Britain Borough, Bucks County, including development of 12 townhouses, condominium apartments, and a commercial office building in the Borough’s commercial corridor.
• Assisted client with acquisition of 26-acre property in Bucks County municipality and associated land use and zoning approvals for a mixed-use development comprised of 53 single-family homes, 14 twin homes, apartments, and adaptive reuse of existing barn and silos remaining from a family farm located on the property.
• Assisted client with successful zoning amendment in a Bucks County municipality to allow for a mixed-use development comprised of townhomes, a mixed-use building, and various commercial uses.
• Represented numerous commercial solar developers in obtaining land use and zoning approvals throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for commercial solar generation facilities, from community to utility-scale solar.
• Assisted quarry operator in obtaining conditional use approval for a new quarry facility in Bucks County, and successfully appealed through the Court of Common Pleas and Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

Central PA

• Represented solar developers in obtaining zoning and land development approvals for a commercial solar generation facility in central Pennsylvania;
• Assisting a national homebuilder in zoning and land development approvals in central Pennsylvania.

Lehigh Valley/Northeastern PA

• Assist landowner in northeastern Pennsylvania in zoning and land development approvals for warehouse and logistics facility;
• Assisted national health care facility operator in land use and zoning approvals for short-term nursing facilities in the Lehigh Valley;
• Representing a national homebuilder with zoning and land development approvals for multifamily, townhouse, and single-family developments in multiple Lehigh Valley municipalities;
• Assist Pocono resort community owner and developer in zoning approvals for pickleball facility;
• Assist solar developers in obtaining zoning and land development approvals for commercial solar generation facilities in the Lehigh Valley, Pocono, and Northeastern Pennsylvania regions.

Western Pennsylvania | Ohio | West Virginia

• Represented landowner clients with leasing, and all ancillary agreements and approvals, including an operational 1500-acre solar facility located on a former coal mine property.
• Represented a commercial solar developer in obtaining land use and zoning approvals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for commercial solar generation facilities, from community to utility-scale solar.
• Represented national franchisee in various land use and zoning approvals for its operations in Ohio.
• Assisted franchisee in land use and zoning matters in southwestern Pennsylvania.
• Represented landowner client in numerous land use matters and agreements in West Virginia.

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