Dirt to Development

Among the factors to consider in creating a site plan, one that is often overlooked is crime prevention and threat assessment.  Listen as Shawn Prinkey from Prinkey Consulting shares how developers should reconsider this aspect early in their site plan design process.

Not all sites are created equal and some require serious problem solving with local land use counsel.  Scott Whittington from Avalon Development share how he was once the office King of Albuquerque and how he pivoted towards retail sites across Arizona with the help of his favorite zoning attorneys.

The Design Review Board is a step in the entitlement process but it can be tricky to win over.  Depending on the quality of the design, it can either be a comedy roast for a poorly designed project, or a coronation for great development.  In this episode we debate the merits of the DRB with a current DRB board member Scott Thomas and local architect Korey Wilkes.  

As anti-multifamily housing opponents become louder and more effective, it was only a matter of time before the pendulum swung back harder.  SB 1117 is a senate bill pending in the Arizona Legislature which has the potential to stymie public engagement and severely limit local zoning control.  Is this a good thing? Listen as we debate SB1117 and its merits.

Experienced architects and engineers know better than to navigate zoning matters solo.  Hear why David Bohn and Nicole Posten-Thompson utilize local zoning counsel early in their design efforts.

2022 was a banner year for Withey Morris and our favorite restaurant Tarbells. Who better to recap it with than an Emmy Award winner, James Beard nominated, Paris-trained, two-time inductee to the Arizona Hall of Culinary Fame, and award winning restaurant owner, Mark Tarbell!!

Quick Land Use Update with Ben Tate: Recapping new state law regarding Major General Plan Amendments and why you should talk to your land use Attorney immediately.

From pinstripe suits and cowboy boots, to Auto malls and State Land, few people have had more of an impact on local development than Mike Withey, the original founder of Withey Morris, PLC and a beloved friend to Jason Morris and Adam Baugh. Enjoy the laughs with us as we take a trip down memory lane and learn why finding friends at the kegger on the first day of law school pays off in the long ru...

The state of the residential land market, future projections, and why Arizona is well positioned for long term success.  

What does Elvis at Las Vegas, The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Dirt to Development Podcast at the AZ American Planning Association have in common? History making, wild fans and great performances. Listen as we regale audiences at the APA conference with a little back to the future planning knowledge.

When Greg Vogel started with Coldwell Banker in the early 80's, little did he know about the value of land databases.  In the 40 years since, he created Land Advisors Organization, one of the premier land brokerage firms and leaders in PropTech. Listen as Greg shares how he went from Fraternity Brother to Land Guru while thrusting Arizona to new development frontiers.

Development has inherent risks which is why it is critical to be responsive to new trends and land use changes. Listen to our friends at Thompson Thrift talk about how they make commercial development an experience and destination to adapt to land use trends.

In early 2022, Arizona municipalities and cities were shocked to learn about a proposed bill in the Arizona State Legislature that would drastically handcuff municipal zoning authority in order to bring more affordable housing to market.  We call it the Zoning Attorney Job Killer legislation.  Thankfully, it didn't advance but the bill started a conversation about how Arizona might consider tackli...

If you can't play an attorney on TV, at least you can be a great one in real life. In this episode we discuss how land use litigation can affect the best deals and how important it is to assemble the world's best when involving high stakes transactions.

Finding the land deal can be tricky but negotiating the transaction can be more challenging given seller demands, title exceptions, and more. Dave Baker guides us through the real estate transaction, purchase agreement, title review, and closing.

Sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find a prince. Land development and site selection is the same, except choosing a poor site can blow up your deal…and your job. In this episode we learn from the best as they guide us through what to avoid when evaluating potential sites. 

Rezoning land is like navigating a minefield. One bad step and your entitlement case is blown to pieces. Listen in to hear tips and tricks to help navigate your way to success with top zoning experts. 

When the Masters in Real Estate Development (MRED) program launched at ASU in 2006, few people could foresee the role it would play in development projects across Arizona.  In the 16 years since, its influence is seen in the graduates, relationships, and projects that have been created because of it (as well as other copycat programs that imitate its success). In this episode we learn the origins...

Agritopia is to planning what the Beatles Sgt. Peppers album is to music – a masterpiece. Joe Johnston's accomplishments as a developer and entrepreneur include other successes like Epicenter, Coffee Plantation, Joe's BBQ, Joe's Farmhouse Grill, Liberty Market, and more. Listen as we hear how Joe reinvented his family farm into a model for place-making and creative development and how William John...

Michael Rumpeltin is the design brains behind notable projects like The Yard, Joyride Taco, Stock and Stable, Postinos Highland and more. Hear how he makes unique spaces work with adaptive reuse and experiential retail.

The Zoning Ordinance includes uses and development standards governing property development, but what happens when land uses don't fit neatly into a specific zoning district? Or when a site plan needs to change, or a zoning compliance letter is required? Listen as we discuss tips and tricks to work with planning agencies to secure favorable zoning letters that meet the intent of the code.  

The City of Glendale is seeing tremendous success with new developments along the 101 and 303 Freeways, and the tip of the spear is the City's Economic Development Department. Check out how Brian and Randy from Glendale's Economic Development Department help prepare and pave the way for successful developments, and why all new projects should start with them first.

Smart developers know the value of a good due diligence effort, which should only be done by local experts who know where the bodies are buried inside the city's zoning and permit records department. Yet for some reason, reckless developers are relying on out-of-state PZRs (Planning & Zoning Reports) as their sole resource for proper due diligence.  In this episode we discuss why local knowledge i...

If the General Plan were viewed as an atlas map, and a zoning map like a street map, then zoning attorneys would be Google Maps.  In this episode we provide critical guidance on how to navigate General Plan amendments, key filing deadlines, and potholes to avoid during that process.

The North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association is no pushover, and rightfully so. They've worked hard to set high standards and encourage good development. But not all cases are easily won and some give and take with the neighbors and developers is necessary. Listen in as we discuss effective neighbor outreach and learn key insights from a well-respected community leader, Mary Crozier.