Do You Need A Survey?
Prospective purchasers of real estate, and many owners, sometimes ask whether they need a survey. Unfortunately, it is a question best answered either by obtaining a survey, or by later…
Taming Rhode Island Wetlands Registrations
Rhode Island property owners, developers and builders have long been frustrated by conflicting State and municipal regulation of wetland setbacks and buffers, often causing delays, increasing the cost of building,…
The Taylor Swift Tax is Not Too Swift
Even excellent leaders make their share of mistakes. Amidst Governor Raimondo’s impressive first months in office, where she has taken dead aim on economic development and job creation, she has…
Zoning the Oceans
I am pleased and proud that the American Bar Association has just published my book, “Zoning the Oceans The Next Big Step in Coastal Zone Management”. And at approximately 300…
When Buying Real Estate in Rhode Island, Absolutely Beware of Wetlands
Many property owners can innocently violate wetlands laws without even knowing they are doing it, and the penalties for doing so can be more than the cost of the property…
Marine Spatial Planning, Ocean Zoning and the Ocean’s 12 Conference
I recently had the opportunity to address the Oceans’ 12 Conference meeting in Virginia, having been asked to serve on a panel to discuss the new phenomenon of “ocean zoning”,…
Land Use Tax Policy – How Unfair is Fair?
“This is a case of fundamental unfairness masquerading as rational tax policy” “This is a case which plumbs the depths of how unfair a government can be to taxpayers and…
So When Is An Abandoned Road Abandoned Anyway?
That was the question facing the Rhode Island Supreme Court when neighbors sued to claim title to a former road that clearly had not been used, maintained or repaired…
Protecting a “Million Dollar Water View” with Restrictive Covenants
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a Rhode Island ocean view may be worth millions, if not in fact be priceless, if a little-noted Rhode Island…
Are Property Owners Liable for an Oil Release on Their Property Even if it Occurred Before They Owned the Property?
Rhode Island’s penchant for strict liability for releases of environmental contaminants appears to be getting even stricter. A recent Superior Court decision just held that a property owner who owned…