The first meeting with a municipality can set the tone for an entire real estate development project. But what should developers know before walking through the door?
In Part 1 of our Preparing for Town Hall series, Farrell Fritz partner Rachel Scelfo joins Lee Peretz to discuss the preparation, research, and strategic thinking that go into a successful first meeting with town officials. Drawing on her experience as both a municipal official and private land use attorney, Rachel offers a perspective from both sides of the table.
From understanding local zoning codes and comprehensive plans to identifying environmental constraints, traffic concerns, and infrastructure needs, Rachel explains why developers need to do their homework long before presenting a proposal.
What’s covered in this episode:
- Why the first meeting with a municipality is more than a presentation or sales pitch
- How meetings with elected officials differ from meetings with planning departments
- What municipalities want to know about a developer and a proposed project
- Why understanding zoning codes, comprehensive plans, and previous approvals matters
- How environmental conditions, traffic, parking, and sewer infrastructure can affect development feasibility
- What to include in a preliminary concept plan to encourage meaningful municipal feedback
Having a Legal State of Mind:
Preparation is about more than knowing what you want to build. It’s about understanding where you want to build it, what the municipality needs to consider, and what challenges could stand between your proposal and approval.
The most productive first meetings begin with informed questions, a willingness to listen, and enough preparation to make the conversation worthwhile.
Rachel Scelfo is a land use, municipal, and zoning attorney whose experience spans both private practice and municipal government. She previously served as counsel to the Town of Babylon’s Zoning Board and as the Town’s Planning Commissioner, giving her firsthand experience with the processes and considerations that shape local development decisions.
Continue the Series:
In Part 2 of Preparing for Town Hall, Rachel explores how assembling the right development team, anticipating municipal concerns, and engaging the community can shape a project’s path forward.
