Category Archives: Uncategorized
If You Build It, They Don’t Always Come: Alternatives to Empty Commercial/Retail Space on the Ground Floor of Mixed Use Buildings
By Leigh Kellett Fletcher | Many multi-family and mixed use developers completing residential infill projects in urban areas are required by local governments to incorporate retail or other commercial space in the ground floor of their projects. The laudable goals of these types of requirements is to activate street fronts, increase economic activity in the urban […]
Convincing the Neighbors — Tools for Effective Communication about Potentially Controversial Development Projects
By Leigh Kellett Fletcher | Development projects can be controversial for a variety of reasons: where they are proposed to be located; the proposed use; the perceived potential impact of the project on nearby residents; and simple destruct of change, unfamiliar individuals or government. How information about a project is communicated can heavily impact the […]
Port Tampa Bay Channel District Vision Plan Presented to Tampa Downtown Partnership
By Leigh Kellett Fletcher | This morning Port Tampa Bay presented its vision for the 45 acres the Port owns bordering the Channelside district in downtown Tampa to members of the Tampa Downtown Partnership. The land is currently home to the cruise terminals, the Aquarium parking lot and vacant industrial land. Ram Kancharla, Vice […]
Closing the Gaps in the Deal: Utilizing Florida Economic Development Incentives to Facilitate Development
By Leigh Kellett Fletcher | If you are a successful developer or broker of industrial or commercial property, the difference between a closing and a lot of wasted effort can come down to the incentives that can be offered to sweeten the deal for companies seeking to relocate to Florida or to particular counties or […]
2015 Legislative Update and Expectations for 2016
Florida’s legislative session in 2015 was something of a let down for many who expected more land use and environmental bills to be passed. The budget fight ended the session early, and as a result, some good and some bad bills failed to get final approval. In the end, only a handful of land use […]
Tips for Community Associations and Homeowners’ Associations Entering Contracts for Landscaping Maintenance and Repairs to Structures
By Leigh Kellett Fletcher | As communities mature, the landscaping and buildings owned and maintained by nonprofit community associations and homeowners’ associations require professional help to retain their appearance and value. For volunteer board members, contracting for that work can be nerve wracking because the dollars involved can be large and the process confusing. If […]
Community Development Districts and Community/Homeowners Associations – Partnering for Mutual Benefit
By Leigh Kellett Fletcher | It is not unusual for master planned communities to have both a community/homeowners’ association and a community development District (“CDD”). It is easy to confuse their functions and responsibilities, and it can be frustrating to both developers and residents trying to provide needed services and facilities to communities. In […]
Do Your HOA Restrictions Adequately Protect Property Owners from Short-term Vacation Rentals?
By Tina Fischer | With the increasing popularity of websites like VRBO.com and Airbnb, homeowners and condominium associations across the country are experiencing challenges in policing owners who violate association rules by renting out their properties for short-term occupants. In Florida, like many other popular resort destinations, the appeal of making additional cash through short-term […]
Florida Trend Names Anne Pollack One of Florida’s “Legal Elite”
We are happy to announce that Florida Trend has named Anne Pollack as one of Florida’s “Legal Elite” for 2015. Fellow lawyers were asked to vote for attorneys whom they have worked with, hold in the highest regard and would recommend to those seeking legal assistance. Less than 2% of active Florida Bar members who […]
Super Lawyer: Leigh Fletcher
We are happy to announce that Super Lawyers has named Leigh Kellett Fletcher as a Super Lawyer for 2015. Super Lawyers are considered the top attorneys in the state with a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research to evaluate professional achievements and qualifications before […]