Chicagoland Special Use Commercial Real Estate Attorney
Illinois Real Estate Lawyer for Zoning, Agricultural, & Industrial Use
Commercial real estate transactions are often complex matters involving a significant investment of time, money, and energy. It’s not enough to simply negotiate a purchase price and terms of sale. Commercial real estate development requires an intricate understanding of state, county, city, and other municipal laws and zoning codes, as well as how to work within the legal system to get the most out of your land. If you have a real estate transaction in the works, or you are attempting to get more use out of the land you already own, it’s important to have the right real estate legal team on your side.
The commercial real estate attorneys at MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle, Ltd. have years of experience representing landowners, developers, and other parties in commercial real estate transactions. We help developers and owners obtain zoning entitlements from the proper governmental authorities to ensure that their properties retain the value and use intended upon purchase. We provide customized, detailed solutions for development and property management to help our clients maximize the benefits derived from their properties.
Illinois Real Estate Zoning Categories
Unfortunately, purchasing property is not enough to give you the right to develop that property as you see fit. To get any use out of the land you own or are purchasing, you need to ensure that your property is located in an area that is properly zoned for the type of business you want to conduct.
Property in Illinois is generally zoned into one of several categories:
- Residential
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Downtown
- Manufacturing
- Agricultural
- Recreational
- Mixed-Use
The district categorization dictates what type of building can be built or developed in the area, what type of business can be conducted within those buildings, and other restrictions. Some categories have significant overlap, and different types of buildings and businesses can operate in multiple types of districts. Each city and county has its own special designations.
Within those categories, there may be additional delineations. Moreover, across the Chicago area, most sizable developments include some variance or another beyond the rules prescribed by the general category. Talk to a seasoned special use real estate attorney about the zoning categories in your county and how best to approach development.
Common Zoning & Land Use Issues
There are a number of zoning and land use issues that can arise when purchasing commercial property or developing commercial properties. At MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle, Ltd. , we help real estate developers with a wide range of special use services, including:
- Obtaining special use permits
- Rezoning (zoning map amendments)
- Resolving zoning regulations and ordinances
- Proper licensing
- Planning for land use
- Variations/variances
- Consulting on environmental issues and conducting environmental due diligence
- Issues pertaining to eminent domain
Whatever the nature of your business, if it requires special licensing and planning, you need comprehensive legal advice and representation from a full-service commercial real estate law firm. Our experienced real estate legal team can walk you through all of your options and find a way to efficiently and expediently get your business moving without opening you up to unnecessary liability.
Chicago Commercial Real Estate Attorneys at Your Service
If you’re in need of considerate, thorough, and detail-oriented legal representation for your Chicago-area private or commercial real estate transaction, contact the offices of MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle, Ltd. for a consultation, in Hoffman Estates at 847-310-0025, or in Des Plaines at 847-298-5030.
