Real Estate

4.3

Zoning, Subdivision, Site Plans, and Other Development Approvals

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
California MCLE Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 6 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 6 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 6 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 6 Total
California CLE Approved 6 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 7 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 6 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 6 Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 6 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 6 Total
Iowa CLE Approved 6 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 6 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 6 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 7 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 6 Total
Maine CLE Approved 6 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 6 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 6 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Approved 6 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 6 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 6 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 6 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 7.2 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 6 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 6 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 6 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 7 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 6 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 6 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 6 Total
Texas CLE Approved 6 Total
Utah CLE Approved 6 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 6 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 6 Total
Washington CLE Approved 6 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 7 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 7.2 Total
Wyoming CLE Approved 6 Total
Delaware Certified Paralegal Program Approved 6 Total
Florida Registered Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Indiana Paralegal CLE Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals Approved 6 Total
North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education Approved 6 Total
New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of Approved 6 Total
Ohio Certified Paralegals Approved 6 Total
NFPA Approved 0 Total
Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division Approved 6 Total
OnDemand
5 hours 55 minutes
Daniel Shapiro
Thomas Donohue
Amy Goins
Brian Fischer
Mark Kimball
With Daniel C. Shapiro from Shapiro & Associates Law + 4 others
Recorded May 04, 2026.
Product ID 101920

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Course Includes
$429

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Overview

The Attorney's Guide to Getting Projects Approved - Start to Finish

Land use and development law can feel like a maze; this guide will show you the way through it. This CLE program will give you a step-by-step map of every stage of the approval process. Learn what applications and permits are required, who has decision-making authority, and how to secure approvals. You'll also pick up practical guidance to keep projects on schedule and avoid the most common causes of delay. This is your chance to see how all the moving parts of the process fit together - and how to guide projects smoothly from concept to completion. Register today!

  • Clarify the purview and authority of boards and commissions and in what order to seek approvals.
  • Determine when to seek a conditional permit and how to prove hardship for a variance.
  • Discover common review criteria and issues with site plans.
  • Assist clients with subdivision and map approvals - from sketch plans to final plats.
  • Understanding the environmental side of development, including wetlands, stormwater, and endangered species.

This program was designed in conjunction with NBI's esteemed 2023-2026 Content Advisory Committee Member Kimberly Jackson.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Development Review Process Overview
  2. Applying for Zoning Relief: Conditional Use Permits, Variances, and Rezoning
  3. Site/Development Plan Review
  4. Subdivision and Map Approvals
  5. Infrastructure and Utility Approvals
  6. Environmental Approvals in a Nutshell
  7. Legal Ethics

Related Topics

Product ID 101920

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
California MCLE Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 6 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 6 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 6 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 6 Total
California CLE Approved 6 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 7 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 6 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 6 Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 6 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 6 Total
Iowa CLE Approved 6 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 6 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 6 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 7 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 6 Total
Maine CLE Approved 6 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 6 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 6 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Approved 6 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 6 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 6 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 6 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 7.2 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 6 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 6 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 6 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 7 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 6 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 6 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 6 Total
Texas CLE Approved 6 Total
Utah CLE Approved 6 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 6 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 6 Total
Washington CLE Approved 6 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 7 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 7.2 Total
Wyoming CLE Approved 6 Total
Delaware Certified Paralegal Program Approved 6 Total
Florida Registered Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Indiana Paralegal CLE Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals Approved 6 Total
North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education Approved 6 Total
New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of Approved 6 Total
Ohio Certified Paralegals Approved 6 Total
NFPA Approved 0 Total
Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division Approved 6 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE
Paralegal

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Development Review Process Overview

    1. Development Review Process Overview: Who Reviews What (and When)
    2. Sequencing Approvals and Aligning Timelines to Avoid Delays

  2. Applying for Zoning Relief: Conditional Use Permits, Variances, and Rezoning

    1. Conditional Uses: Crafting Sound, Defensible Conditions
    2. Variances: Proving Hardship
    3. Requesting a Rezoning: What's Involved
    4. Vested Rights and Expiration of Approvals

  3. Site/Development Plan Review

    1. Understanding Review Criteria
    2. Application Checks: Issue Spotting
    3. Presentation and Advocacy Tips

  4. Subdivision and Map Approvals

    1. Subdivision Regulation
    2. Pre-Application / Sketch Plan: Issue Flagging
    3. Preliminary Plat Review
    4. Negotiating Dedications, Exactions, and Impact Fees
    5. Final Plat Approval and Recordation

  5. Infrastructure and Utility Approvals

    1. Right-of-Way Dedications/Vacations
    2. Encroachment Permits
    3. Utility Connection and Capacity
    4. Development and Reimbursement Agreements

  6. Environmental Approvals in a Nutshell

    1. Municipal-Level Rules and Permits
    2. Environmental Review and Impact Assessment
    3. Environmental Site Assessments
    4. Wetlands, Waters, and Stormwater Approvals
    5. Endangered Species and Habitat Review

  7. Legal Ethics

    1. Conflicts of Interest
    2. Ex Parte Contacts and Improper Influence
    3. Confidentiality vs. Public Process
    4. Maintaining Professionalism in Public Hearings

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for attorneys. Planners, real estate professionals, and paralegals may also benefit.

Speakers

Daniel C Shapiro
Daniel C.
Shapiro
Shapiro & Associates Law
Thomas J Donohue Jr.
Thomas J.
Donohue, Jr.
Killian & Donohue, LLC
Amy H Goins
Amy H.
Goins
Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd.
Brian Fischer
Brian
Fischer
THD Design Group
Mark D Kimball
Mark D.
Kimball
MDK Law
Speaker bio
Daniel C Shapiro

Daniel C. Shapiro

Shapiro & Associates Law
Daniel Shapiro

has extensive experience in the areas of land use, zoning, governmental relations, municipal law, and civil litigation. After practicing at "big law" for most of his career, Mr. Shapiro established his own law firm in 2015, which stresses accountability, efficiency and integrity. He has represented a wide variety of clients including developers, businesses, landowners as well as governmental entities and closely advises his clients on complex matters including securing zoning entitlements before plan commissions, zoning boards, village, towns and critics. In litigation matters, Mr. Shapiro has also represented his clients at all judicial levels in state and federal court. Mr. Shapiro has been a frequent lecturer on issues such as of land use, public/private partnerships, zoning, affordable housing, transit orient developments, cannabis regulations, and local government relations. He is also the mayor of the Village of Deerfield and was previously a village trustee from 2015 through 2021. Mr. Shapiro was previously the president of the Northwest Municipal Conference, which represents over 1.2 million citizens residing in 42 Illinois municipalities.

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Speaker bio
Thomas J Donohue Jr.

Thomas J. Donohue, Jr.

Killian & Donohue, LLC
Thomas Donohue

is a partner in the Hartford law firm of Killian & Donohue, LLC. He practices in the areas of real estate law, corporate and utility law, and government relations. Mr. Donohue has lectured on real estate law before various business and professional groups. He is a member of the Hartford and Connecticut bar associations. Mr. Donohue earned his B.A. degree from the College of the Holy Cross and his J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut.

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Speaker bio
Amy H Goins

Amy H. Goins

Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd.
Amy Goins

is an attorney with Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd. She concentrates her practice in municipal law and land use, and is an assistant solicitor to several municipalities in Rhode Island. Ms. Goins prosecutes misdemeanors, drafts ordinances, reviews contracts, and provides counsel on zoning and planning matters. She earned her B.A. degree from Brown University and her J.D. degree from Roger Williams University School of Law, where she graduated summa cum laude and was a member of the Law Review. Ms. Goins is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in the State of Rhode Island and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association's Executive Committee and House of Delegates.

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Speaker bio
Brian Fischer

Brian Fischer

THD Design Group
Brian Fischer

is with THD Design Group, and has more than 30 years of experience in the survey field performing a variety of survey types for residential, municipal, commercial, industrial and government agency clients. He has experience in survey instrumentation and computer aided drafting (CAD) programs, as well as office and survey programs such as Trimble Office, Carlson and Civil 3D. Mr. Fischer's management experience includes overseeing drafting and field crews, as well as a branch office for an oil and gas services firm in southeast Texas. He holds professional land surveyors licenses in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Kansas, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, and Texas.

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Speaker bio
Mark D Kimball

Mark D. Kimball

MDK Law
Mark Kimball

is the founding shareholder of MDK Law, a firm emphasizing corporate, commercial and property law, and consulting in matters involving federal and international taxation. He is admitted to practice in Washington, New York, Texas and Oregon. Mr. Kimball is an adjunct professor of law at Eotvos Lorand and Masaryk Universities in Europe, and has served as a law school guest lecturer at Seattle University School of Law. He is also engaged as an expert witness in superior court cases involving limited liability companies, governance, and other member issues. Mr. Kimball has been admitted to the Second Circuit Bar (New York, Connecticut and Vermont), Fifth Circuit Bar (Texas and Louisiana), and the Oregon State Bar. He earned his J.D. degree and LL.M. (taxation) degree from the University of Washington School of Law, and also holds an LL.M. degree in transnational commercial practice from Europe. 

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