Building or developing land comes with a host of complications, and not all of them involve finances or legal permits. As a Georgia developer, you will certainly want to consider the impact that the final project will have on the environment. To adequately address environmental complications and avoid unnecessary delays in your project, you will find it helpful to seek the guidance of an environmental law attorney as early as possible in the zoning process.
It takes a lot of work to effectively address the environmental concerns that you could face. Fortunately, you do not have to do this alone. With the right help, you can reach a solution to zoning and land use issues facing you, project neighbors and the entities that enforce zoning and environmental laws.
What environmental factors should you consider?
The environmental factors that may impact your project depend on the nature of your development, the magnitude of the final project, and how the land and the fully developed project will be used and accessed. You may wish to consider the following issues in your land use development phase:
- Water pollution: How will your project affect local water quality?
- Land consumption: Will your development project deplete or negatively impact natural resources in the area?
- Transportation sources: Will your development allow access to public transportation or require transportation in individual vehicles, thereby increasing air pollution?
- Connectivity: If your development is only accessible by motor vehicle, it could lead to increased traffic in the area and add to local air pollution as people drive individual vehicles.
- Zoning ordinances for mixed-use developments: Do zoning laws prevent you from developing your project in a way that would allow less of an overall negative impact?
Finding a positive solution to any of the above concerns is not easy. Unregulated or under-regulated development projects can have an adverse impact on neighbors and the health of the local environment. By addressing these types of concerns on the front end, you can avoid potential problems in the future.
You do not have to come up with solutions to these problems on your own. When you work with a lawyer who is committed to the environment and knows how to navigate the legal challenges that you face in land use development and planning, you can have a better relationship with the local community, lessen your negative impact on the environment and mitigate future complications.