http://www.neilerwinlaw.com Neil Erwin Law Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=17 Three Upstate Louisiana communities of differing sizes are taking aggressive new steps to develop their historic downtown cores while preserving their unique character and charm. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=17 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=14 A question persistently raised in litigation is whether a subdivision plat that meets all minimum technical engineering requirements must be approved by a local planning commission? Under Louisiana law, the answer is “no” . . . http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=14 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=13 Upstate Louisiana was drawn as an upbeat area for real estate development and forward-looking governmental innovation, spurred by significant investment in cyber defense. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=13 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=12 So why adopt a "master plan," when the existence of a "comprehensive plan" may do? The answer is to strengthen the legal standing of zoning decisions. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=12 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=11 Governmental mobilization for neighborhood fix up is a commendable, even essential, foundation for overall community advancement. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=11 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=10 What makes "Shifting Ground" unique is that it approaches land use not in dry technical terms, but as a series of compelling human interest stories. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=10 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=9 Three upcoming smart growth land use conferences in the North Louisiana - Texas region are worth a look. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=9 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=8 For twenty years, Governing magazine has been a well-edited and well-written guide for local and state government officials and those working with them. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=8 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=7 For a planning site that is low in jargon and high in connecting similar places, try out Planning Commissioners Journal, www.plannersweb.com. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=7 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=6 Boards of adjustment run a serious risk of having their decisions overturned if the decision-making lacks adopted standards, or if applications similar in fact are treated inconsistently. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=6 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=5 Common sense calls for a legal consensus: zoning regulations should be based, at the least, on a future land use plan (a component of a comprehensive master plan). http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=5 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=3 Paul Farmer, APA and AICP head, advises that "resources will always be insufficient, so use them wisely." That means good community master planning, which, he says, enhances investor confidence. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=3 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=2 All members of Louisiana municipal and parish planning/zoning commissions and boards of adjustment appointed on or after July 12, 2004, MUST receive at least 4 hours of training in the duties, responsibilities, ethics, and substance of their positions (La. R.S. 33:103.1, effective July, 2004). The deadline for completion of training is one year after appointment. http://www.neilerwinlaw.com/blog_article.php?id=2