Maybe your organization purchased a specific property because the price was incredible, or perhaps you purchased the land initially with the intention of developing it for one kind of project but have since realized that a different project would be more profitable.
Unfortunately, when the zoning for a parcel of land does not align with how you intend to use it, you can expect a lengthy process to correct the zoning issue. Not only will you likely need legal help to correct this issue, but you will also need to get the community on your side.
Zoning changes in Washington require public hearings
The simplest reason why appealing to the local community is crucial when you want to change the zoning for a piece of land is that public hearings are a key part of the zoning change process. People who live in the area will inevitably have questions about what your development of the property will mean for their quiet enjoyment of their property.
You may need to do some outreach to connect with the local community and convince people that your project would benefit everyone. From showing how you will create valuable employment opportunities to performing environmental impact research that can help you show your operations won’t harm the local land, there are numerous steps that you can take to convince other property owners in the area that your project will be overall beneficial for the local community.
The sooner your organization begins developing a relationship with the local community, the less likely you are to experience challenges at the 11th hour when seeking a zoning change.
Land use laws can be difficult to understand
The people who own and run businesses may have a hard time understanding some of the nuance inherent in zoning laws. They may also lack the information or negotiation skills necessary to push the project forward. Instead of dedicating countless resources from within the company to try to tackle this challenge, it often makes a lot more sense to bring in outside help to handle the rezoning process and to advise you on land use matters.
Learning more about Washington zoning laws and the rules about changing a parcel’s zoning can help your business make the most out of the real property that it owns.