Cincinnati Zoning Attorney | Ohio Eminent Domain Lawyer Dayton OH Hamilton County

Land Use and Zoning Attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio

I have over 20 years of experience handling a wide range of land use and zoning issues for individuals, businesses and municipalities throughout Cincinnati and southwest Ohio. Because I understand the importance of accuracy and clarity in legal matters, I place a high priority on attention to detail in all aspects of my practice. Contact my offices to arrange a free initial consultation.

My Practice

Before I established my own practice, I spent more than 20 years with one of Cincinnati's premier land use law firms, with the bulk of my practice focused on land use and zoning and eminent domain issues. I established my own firm so that I could personally respond to and handle all of my client's needs and concerns.

Land Use and Zoning

I work closely with individuals, businesses, developers and local government units involved in disputes over the interpretation or application of zoning ordinances. In my practice I have:

Represented municipalities, counties and townships in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas as special litigation counsel in land use, zoning and eminent domain matters.
Acted as co-counsel to the City of Norwood in its 2006 landmark eminent domain case before the Ohio Supreme Court.
Served as a consultant on land use and zoning matters, including comprehensive amendments and updates to zoning ordinances.
Served as counsel to citizen groups concerned about legal issues involving proposed developments near their homes.
Drafted and defended referendum petitions that allowed citizens the opportunity to vote on zoning changes in their communities.
Represented private property owners, as well as municipalities, in regulatory "takings" cases.

I advise clients at all stages of a zoning dispute, from a request for a variance to other zoning approvals. I also handle all administrative proceedings involved in zoning appeals. I work with individuals, developers and municipalities, counties and townships in disputes involving residential as well as commercial and industrial uses.

In addition to my practice, I have been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Cincinnati for over 20 years, I currently teach Planning Law and Administration to graduate and undergraduate Planning students in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP). Along that same line, I frequently present seminars on proper zoning practices for planning and zoning commissions, as well as boards of zoning appeals.

Eminent Domain

Under the U.S. Constitution, a governmental entity may take private property for public use, provided there is just compensation paid to the owner of the property. Property may be taken for the development of public roads, parks, schools and city buildings. A government may also try to take private property for other uses, including commercial developments, if it can be shown that there is a valid public use involved.

At the Law Office of Gary E. Powell, I represent property owners or municipalities in disputes over what qualifies as a public use, as well as in determinations of just compensation. I also work with municipalities before they exercise the power of eminent domain, helping them implement plans and processes that minimize potential liability.

I have spoken at a number of seminars about eminent domain and takings claims issues. For example, in 2006, I spoke at the American Planning Association's National Conference in San Antonio, Texas about eminent domain in Ohio and the City of Norwood's experience. For a more complete listing of my speaking engagements, click on this link to see my profile.

For an experienced lawyer to handle your land use, zoning or eminent domain disputes in southwest Ohio, contact me to schedule a free initial consultation. I keep flexible office hours, so that I can be available at your convenience. All client meetings are by appointment.

Law Office of Gary E. Powell
1014 Vine Street
Suite 1919
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1141
Phone: (513) 608-6225
Fax: (513 ) 768-4342

At the Law Office of Gary E. Powell, in Cincinnati, I represent individuals, companies and local government bodies throughout southwest Ohio and the Dayton-Springfield Metro area, including Fairfield, Hamilton, Middletown, West Chester, Mason and Loveland; and in Hamilton County, Butler County, Clermont County and Warren County.

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