Land use

Mackenzie Hughes has represented the developers of some of Upstate New York's favorite shopping malls and grocery stores in their development of new, neighborhood-friendly projects. We guided the developers through the municipal "right to build" process, including highly publicized public hearings, and won dismissal of court challenges. The projects are now fully built, operational and widely popular throughout the region.

Mackenzie Hughes attorneys practicing within the Land Use area include:

Jeffrey D. Brown
David M. Garber
W. Bradley Hunt
Alfred W. Popkess
Edward J. Spencer III
Mark W. Wasmund

Property owners and developers who need counsel on any legal issue related to real property gain confidence from knowing we've almost certainly handled similar cases — usually a lot of them. We represent owners, developers, lenders, individuals and municipal boards in the entire spectrum of commercial and residential transactions, including some of the largest developments in Central New York such as major shopping malls and related commercial establishments, office complexes, schools and not-for-profit entities.

We represent leading financial institutions and developers in all aspects of their projects, including "right-to-build" hearings involving zoning, site planning, subdivisions, and special permits before local municipal boards; negotiating construction and permanent loan commitments; public hearings; and preparing purchase agreements and easements. And we help developers pursue tax-exempt financing through industrial development agencies.

Our other real estate-related work includes serving as examining counsel for title insurance companies and regularly addressing issues affecting title, including title insurance coverage. Plus, we have extensive experience in all phases of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) process.