Land Use and Zoning in Rhode Island: From Application to Appeal
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island CLE |
|
6 Total | 06-30-2026 |
Buy This Course
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Overview
Walk Step by Step Through the Process With Insights From Seasoned Attorneys
Your client wants to develop property. How do you confirm their ability to do so? How do you get the government's go-ahead, and what do you do if the application is denied? This start-to-finish land use and zoning online seminar will teach you the basic laws before digging into the approval and appeals process. Construct a foundation for a successful practice - register today!
- Review federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern land development.
- Learn how to request variances, conditional use permits, and other authorizations.
- Navigate procedural and technical requirements for subdividing land.
- Gain practical insights on presenting the application at a public meeting or hearing.
- Anticipate when local government decisions or actions are ripe for a constitutional challenge.
- Follow proper steps during appeals and give your client's case the best chance of success.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Land Use and Zoning Overview - 2023-2025 Legislative Changes
- Appealing Zoning Decisions: The New Superior Court Land Use Calendar
- Ethics in Zoning and Land Use Law
- Affordable Housing - Where did Master Plan go?
- Navigating the Land Use Approval Process
- Challenging/Defending the Constitutionality of Zoning and Land Use Actions
- Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendments: Proving Necessary Criteria
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island CLE |
|
6 Total | 06-30-2026 |
Select Jurisdiction
CLE
Agenda
-
Land Use and Zoning Overview - 2023-2025 Legislative Changes
- Regulatory Framework: State "Enabling" Legislation, Local Comprehensive Plans, Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision/Land Development Regulations
- Zoning, Subdivision, Land Development Project, Development Plan Review and Affordable Housing
- How the Approval Process Works: An Overview of the Different Paths
- Legislative Updates - 2025
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Appealing Zoning Decisions: The New Superior Court Land Use Calendar
- The Appeals Process Step-by-Step - Planning Board appeals now go right to Superior Court
- Obtaining Judicial Review of a Local Decision - The New Land Use Calendar - Is there a pattern in its decisions?
- Using Litigation to Resolve a Zoning Case - 60 Days Is All You Get
- Specific Tips for Resolving Top Zoning Issues
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Ethics in Zoning and Land Use Law
- Ethical Issues Unique to the Planning and Zoning Arena
- Adhering to the Rules of Professional Conduct and Avoiding Legal Malpractice
- Identifying and Preventing Conflicts of Interest
- Ex Parte Contacts with Decision Makers
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Affordable Housing - Where did Master Plan go?
- Low and Moderate Income Housing Act
- 2023 and 2024 Changes
- Pitfalls and Traps to Watch Out For
- If You Are a Municipality, How do You Review These?
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Navigating the Land Use Approval Process
- Determining Where the Decision Authority Lies - More Important Than Ever
- Modification - Now Useful to Avoid Zoning and Planning Boards
- Planning Boards Are Where the Action is Now
- Administrative Approvals to Avoid the Planning Board - Do You Really Need That 10th Unit?
- Don't Forget the Environmental Review Process - RIDEM, RIDOH and CRMC
- Open Meeting Laws and Practical Tips
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Challenging/Defending the Constitutionality of Zoning and Land Use Actions
- Takings Without Just Compensation
- Due Process Challenges
- Equal Protection Challenges
- Property Rights and Limitations on Police Power
-
Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendments: Proving Necessary Criteria
- Comprehensive Plan Compatibility - Still Required in 2024?
- Compatibility with Surrounding Property Use - No Longer Required for Housing?
- Ensuring Adequate Public Services and Environmental Approvals
- Proving Other Criteria
Who Should Attend
This basic level online seminar is designed for attorneys. Zoning and land use planners and officials, developers, engineers, surveyors, and paralegals may also benefit.
Speakers
Speaker bio
Andrew M. Teitz
is a partner with the firm Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd. He has been recognized by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America™ in land use and zoning law by Woodward/White Inc., and as one of the country's Top Lawyers™ by Corporate Counsel. UTR currently represents multiple towns in Rhode Island. Mr. Teitz is certified as a professional planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners, and as a certified low impact development master designer by the Rhode Island Coastal Resource Management Council. He also serves several other municipalities, community organizations, and state agencies for specific tasks, including training, historic preservation law, litigation, affordable housing, design review and smart growth studies and ordinances. Mr. Teitz was instrumental in drafting new state enabling legislation on zoning and land development and has drafted dozens of municipal land use ordinances. He has also been appointed as a special master by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Mr. Teitz represents a wide range of clients including Fortune100 corporations, developers, universities, municipalities, family-owned businesses, and individuals. He practices before town councils, zoning and planning boards, historic commissions, coastal zone agencies, and the like, throughout southern New England. Mr. Teitz litigates cases in all Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and federal courts; and is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a graduate of Trinity College and he earned his J.D. degree from Columbia Law School.
Speaker bio
Amy H. Goins
is an attorney with Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd. She concentrates her practice in municipal law, and is an assistant solicitor to five 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 House of Delegates.
Speaker bio
Michael L. Mineau
is a partner at Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, focusing on land use and development, commercial real estate transactions, and property-related litigation. He represents developers, owners, landlords, tenants, investors, and joint venturers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in their land use and development projects and in all phases of deals, including acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, due diligence, zoning and permitting, subdivisions, drafting and negotiating easements and restrictions, and resolving title issues. Over the years, Mr. Mineau has represented some of the largest area developers in a variety of transactions and settings. He also has significant experience in real estate-related litigation, including boundary and title disputes, adverse possession and prescriptive easement cases, breach of contract suits, specific performance claims, requests for declaratory and injunctive relief, land use litigation, and zoning appeals. Mr. Mineau has extensive litigation and first-chair trial experience (jury and non-jury) and has represented clients in appeals to the Rhode Island Supreme Court. His trial experience has included trials in the Rhode Island Superior Court and Massachusetts Land Court. Mr. Mineau serves as a member of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, Portsmouth Economic Development Committee and Roger Williams University Real Estate Advisory Board. He earned his J.D. degree from RWU Law and a B.A. degree in political science from Miami University (Ohio).
Speaker bio
Kelley Morris Salvatore
is a partner in DarrowEverett LLP's Business Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group with over 25 years of experience. She concentrates her practice in the areas of municipal law and administrative appeals. Ms. Morris Salvatore focuses mainly on land use and development and assists clients with all municipal and state-related matters, including tax appeals, tax stabilization agreements, environmental, building code, and liquor and other licensing matters. She has extensive experience representing clients with their development projects, working with local leaders and staff to ensure her clients' interests are effectively advanced. Ms. Morris Salvatore currently serves as the Town Solicitor for the Town of Cumberland, representing all town officials and departments in the areas of municipal law. She also serves as the Assistant Solicitor for the Town of North Providence, representing both the Planning and Zoning Boards. Until recently, Ms. Morris Salvatore also served as counsel to the Providence City Plan Commission.
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