Mixed Use Development: Overcoming Legal Challenges, Leveraging New Opportunities

Outline

1. Mixed-use development overview
   1. Definition of mixed-use development
   2. Examples of successful mixed-use projects
2. Learning from success/designing good mixed-use projects
   1. Integration of uses (horizontally and vertically)
   2. Connections to adjacent development
   3. Other major urban design considerations (pedestrian access, streetscape and public realm, off-street parking, placemaking)
3. Obtaining project entitlements
   1. Common local zoning and subdivision issues
   2. Other regulatory impediments to mixed use (highway access, traffic engineering, fire/safety codes)
   3. Gaining public acceptance; overcoming and managing potential opposition
   4. Strategies for partnering with local and state governments (provision of infrastructure, site assembly, and finance; LEED-ND certification)
4. Common interest community issues
   1. Balancing commercial and residential interests
   2. Civic uses
   3. Design and architectural control
5. Financing considerations
   1. Overview of factors in financing mixed use development
   2. Private financing structures
   3. Public-private financing
   4. Issues to monitor carefully

Benefits

The panel reviewed these and other key questions: 

• What legal issues must be considered when designing mixed-use development projects?
• What are the common zoning and subdivision issues that developers and builders encounter when seeking project entitlements?
• What are some effective strategies for partnering with local and state governments to build mixed-use projects?