Einbinder & Dunn - Zoning, Land Use & Municipal Matters

The combination of Einbinder & Dunn’s transactional experience and understanding of land use law allows the firm to apply a Unique Perspective and an Experienced Approach to clients seeking legal services necessary for site acquisition and development in New York City and the surrounding area.

Headed by Jeffrey A. Chester, of counsel to the firm, Einbinder & Dunn’s zoning & land use practice handles all of the legal aspects of site development, including zoning changes, special permits, variances, landmark proceedings, air rights transfers, tax abatements and economic development incentives. Mr. Chester has over 20 years of zoning and land use experience in New York City and surrounding suburban municipalities.

The firm has regularly appeared before municipal agencies that have land use jurisdiction, including the Board of Standards, the City Planning Commission, the Borough Presidents, the New York City Council, the Department of Buildings and Community Boards.

Representative Clients/Transactions

Recent representations and/or transactions include:

• Representing and advising one of the largest quick service restaurant chains in the USA on all of its regional zoning land use and development issues.
• Representing and advising one of the largest chains of fitness clubs in the New York City area on new location development and permitting issues.
• Variance application for a major 300,000 sq. ft. shopping center to authorize a new 50,000 sq. ft. specialty food market.
• The rezoning of a 7 ½ acre parcel in Corona, Queens from manufacturing to high density residential.
• Advising and representing the interests of multiple cooperative/condominium boards and prominent civic associations concerning a proposed 28 story mixed –use development on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
• Successfully lobbying the New York City Council to reverse a Landmark Preservation Commission designation of a North Fork bank branch (the 1st reversal in over 15 years).
• Multi-million dollar tax abatement (ICIP) for the largest commercial office development in Jamaica, Queens.