Local Ordinance, Real Estate Development, Environmental Policies

Albemarle County’s New Solar Ordinance: Opportunities for Developers and Landowners

Williams Mullen on 8/22/2025

On July 16, 2025, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors amended its zoning ordinance to create a new framework for regulating solar energy facilities and battery energy storage systems. The ordinance is designed to...more

Orange County Continues to Push Charter Amendments Pertaining to the Rural Boundary and Voluntary Annexations

Lowndes on 7/29/2024

After the Charter amendments suggested by the Orange County Charter Review Committee discussed in “Proposed Charter Changes Threaten Orange County's Economic Future” were blocked by the Florida Legislature as discussed in...more

California’s Stay-at-Home Orders: Implications for Environmental Contractors

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP on 4/17/2020

Exceptions outlined in state and local directives likely encompass the investigatory and remedial activities performed by environmental contractors. Most California stay-at-home orders include exceptions for professional...more

New York City Enacts Greenhouse Gas Emission Limits for Major Buildings

BCLP on 5/2/2019

On April 22, 2019, the New York City Council celebrated Earth Day by enacting the “Climate Mobilization Act” into law. The centerpiece of this important legislative package is Introduction 1253-2018 (“Intro 1253”)....more

Court of Appeal Holds CEQA Review Is Not Required for Project That Is Only Subject to Design Review

Perkins Coie on 3/13/2019

The court of appeal held that the City of St. Helena did not violate CEQA by approving a demolition permit and design review for a multi-family residential project without preparing an environmental impact report. McCorkle...more

Court of Appeal Finds No Discretionary Action in St. Helena Multi-family Dwelling Development

Downey Brand LLP on 2/4/2019

On December 18, 2018, the First Appellate District, in McCorkle v. St. Helena (A153238), affirmed the trial court’s denial of a Petition for Writ of Mandate challenging the City of St. Helena’s approval of a multi-dwelling...more