Land Use & Zoning

The land use and zoning practice at Harras Bloom & Archer involves regular appearances before municipal boards throughout Long Island, the boroughs of New York City, Yonkers, and Westchester County. Although our land use litigation skills are significant, achieving results from local boards without resort to the courts is the firm’s primary objective.

The firm guides clients through the land use and zoning approval process, attending town board meetings and public hearings, making client presentations, and pushing aggressively to ensure that the approval process moves forward expeditiously. Problems are identified and resolutions sought early in the process. The firm maintains excellent working relationships with governmental departments and agencies which largely control the review and approval of development projects.

Harras Bloom & Archer is well-versed in local zoning codes, regulations and local practice, and has achieved favorable results on behalf of its clients. The firm regularly obtains special use permits, variances, zone changes and other approvals necessary to achieve desired yield, density or to otherwise implement unique design features of the project at hand which may require relief from zoning restrictions regarding signage, parking, drive-through customer windows, lot coverage and other aspects of project design. As a result of the firm’s experience and track record, Harras Bloom & Archer represents an impressive list of well respected local developers and national chains.

Our Experience

Our lawyers are particularly qualified to assist clients in obtaining land use and zoning grants on Long Island. John A. Harras serves as a New York State Supreme Court referee in matters involving easement, subdivision and related real estate issues, and also serves as a panelist at planning and land use forums. Mr. Harras has represented projects consisting of over 3500 residential units and retail projects in excess of 900,000 square feet. Paul J. Bloom was a member of the Planning Board of the Incorporated Village of Great Neck for five years and sat as its Chairman for three years. Mr. Bloom was elected a trustee of the Village for two consecutive terms and served as the first Chairman of theVillage's Architectural Review Committee. Mr. Bloom routinely handles all aspects of complex residential and office projects, starting with the initial acquisition of the site, continuing through the zoning approval process and finally handling the leasing or sale of the project. Keith H. Archer represents national chains throughout Long island and the New York metropolitan area and appears frequently before municipal Boards on a wide variety of issues. Mr. Archer is also an active member of various community organizations on Long Island. Please review our Attorney Profiles and Firm Overview for more information about our experience.

For credible, professional representation, contact the Long Island zoning and land use attorneys at Harras Bloom & Archer LLP.

Our attorneys serve national retailers, entertainment companies, developers, and business clients on Long Island, New York City, and upstate New York, including Melville, King's Point, White Plains, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Dutchess County, Putnam County, Queens County, Bronx County, Westchester County and Monroe County