As a commercial real estate developer, you probably have a lot of experience with people fighting your projects. One of the most common types of difficulty is with a person called a NIMBY. NIMBY is an acronym for “not in my back yard,” and it tends to describe a certain type of person who dislikes any change to their neighborhood, no matter what it is.
Why Is This An Issue?
There are many possible reasons that someone may fight changes to the buildings and structures around them:
- Aesthetics: Perhaps they have a good view from their yard, or they simply dislike the idea of seeing a project in the distance.
- Finances: Perhaps a person in the area has a financial interest in the status quo, or they worry about property values.
- Environment: Every development has a significant impact on the environment. How extensive an impact will vary, but there’s always some.
However, despite the underlying reasons for opposition to your project, the tools they use are largely the same: CEQA and environmental impact review.
Taking A Proactive Approach To Opposition
Since the tool to stop your project is predictable, you can take a few strong steps to ensure that the delays are kept to a minimum. You can work with legal guidance and environmental experts to more than meet the minimum requirements. You can work to ensure that all your projects meet the highest expectations.
However, that can be a costly strategy. By retaining a strong, agile and knowledgeable attorney, you can quickly and thoroughly respond to CEQA litigation with strength and toughness to keep your projects on track.