Development Potential Outline
"How can I find out the best use for a property, without spending hours on the phone with planning officials and without getting lost among different city regulations?"
I knew an investor who bought a commercial building in Highland Park. He was so excited by the development, his agent was excited to get the project turned around quickly to resell, and he literally poured $100,000's of dollars into remodeling the space.
The problem was the property was located in a low traffic area that could not support the price he was looking for. It also turned out that people were much more interested in tearing the property down and building the 18 units that could go in its place.
If you can imagine one document that can save you from a situation like this, that document would be the development potential outline. As its name implies the DPO outlines the different highest and best uses for a property, so that you are fully aware of what it can be, and make the best decision in terms of development.
The best part about knowing what your options are is, when the market shifts, for whatever reason, you have a backup plan as to what you can do to revive any project.
Specifically, the Development Potential Outline will help you understand:
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The applicable zoning and zoning code(s)
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Key development restrictions: height, density, setbacks, etc.
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Potential areas for highest and best use
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Different Development Scenarios
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Potential Eligibility for ADU, TOC, SB 5, Small Lot Subs
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Potential development red flags and areas of consideration
Benefits:
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Reduces your research time
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Adds clarity to your development goals
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Defines a starting point for discussions with planning officials