Environmental, Zoning & Land Use

Sullivan assists clients in resolving environmental, land use, and permitting issues and provides representation in administrative enforcement matters and litigation as necessary. We represent developers, landowners, lenders, investors and public authorities in addressing land use laws affecting planning and zoning, environmental and historical impact review, coastal zone management, wetlands and waterways, brownfields, solid, hazardous and municipal waste, public lands and endangered species. We analyze requirements for development projects, financings and acquisitions, and we assist clients in obtaining, renewing and complying with permits and regulatory requirements for facility construction and operation.

Representative Client Work

• Counseled developer on permitting and regulatory requirements for a 420-room hotel, two office buildings in excess of one million square feet, and a 2,300-space garage on historic-filled tidelands adjacent to the Boston Harbor
• Represented developer of a residential project at a former naval shipyard concerning environmental issues, including environmental insurance, site cleanup and evaluation of land use permits
• Conducted environmental, zoning, and regulatory due diligence for client acquiring two waste-to-energy power plants under construction
• Assisted purchaser of two newly-constructed office/research laboratory buildings within a planned development in Boston on filled tidelands in evaluating federal, state and local regulatory compliance and permitting issues, and worked with environmental consultant to identify potential approaches to remediate historical contamination
• Advised clients on environmental and historical impact reviews, and provided strategic advice on land use requirements affecting wetlands and other waters, aquifers and sensitive resources
• Represented yacht club developer concerning state and local land use, wetlands and tidelands permits, and related litigation