Monthly Archives: September 2011

In our last post, we noted that a land-use study published last month has prompted proposals for zoning amendments to the historic Pennhurst property.

The Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance recently presented a land use study at an East Vincent Township meeting looking at the possibility of developing the historic site while continuing to maintain its buildings. According to the study, re-developing the site’s historic buildings into rental housing would be “financially viable.”

Philadelphia City Council efforts to revise important development regulations were once again postponed following two meetings in as many weeks. The delays have drawn criticism from those who believe the Council is dragging its feet in revising the zoning code. But others feel that, with a code dating back to the 1930s, taking a little more time to get the revisions right is a good approach.

In an era when many shopping malls are struggling, obtaining a stake in a successful shopping mall can be a difficult task. After all, there are not many successful shopping malls for sale, and the lucrative malls that are for sale are often very expensive acquisitions.

Legal issues can become important in any construction or development project. From the initial permitting process, to the completion of construction, experienced real estate attorneys are familiar with the many legal issues that can arise and potentially derail a project.

There are many discouraging stories about the economy these days, especially involving real estate development and construction markets. Development for both housing and shopping centers has been declining for the past several years. However, some developers believe that they have found ways to capitalize on the commercial real estate trends in Philadelphia. Many developers are moving their focus from new development to existing properties.

When a business needs to expand or add a facility, time is often of the essence. However, construction and land use are tightly regulated by the state of Pennsylvania and local governments. Local governments often have very specific zoning requirements that need to be met before a real estate development or construction project can get underway. It is true that zoning and land use regulations can get in the way of a project, but these obstacles are not always insurmountable.

Zoning, or how a property is zoned, can have a tremendous impact on the market value of a piece of Pennsylvania real estate. Broadly, zoning is the way governments regulate the way land can be used. Common zoning classifications of land include commercial, residential and industrial.