Rezoning an office building typically involves several steps and may vary depending on your local planning and development office. Honestly, this is something your clients are going to need to take the reins and work on themselves. However, just having the general knowledge and steps to get started will be all your client needs to get up and running on a rezone project.
Here is a general outline of the steps involved in the rezoning process:
#1 Find your Local Planning and Development Office. This can usually be a simple Google search for “<Your County’s Name> Planning and development office”. Some modern development offices allow you to schedule a Zoom meeting directly on their website. Others may require an in-person visit to their “info desk” or a phone call.
Schedule a meeting with the planning department and discuss your intentions to rezone your client’s office spaces in the future. Ask what applications need to be filled out, and what the process is going forward.
Just one meeting will make you more knowledgeable than 90% of the other commercial real estate agents in the market.
After your initial meeting you’ll either be directed on a journey to talk to more specialists, or you’ll have all the applications noted and all the fees listed for your clients to decide on whether they want to go forward with a potential rezone.
#2 Team up with professionals, if needed. Depending on the complexity of the rezoning process, your client may need to hire professionals such as land use attorneys, urban planners, or zoning consultants to assist with the process. These professionals can provide guidance, help with applications, and represent your client in meetings or hearings.
As you go through this process, you’ll collect a great team of qualified individuals ready for the next job, making you even more prepared for even more challenging opportunities.
If you’re in the beginning stages, consider meeting with a few professionals yourself. Ensure they are aware that you’re looking to refer companies that understand the importance of timeliness. Rezoning can take a lot of time and require modifications on plans, so not waiting 90-days for a redraw on some elevations is critical.
#3 Rezoning application. The county will likely provide you with a list of necessary documents and information required for the rezoning application. This typically requires a completed application form, property surveys, site plans, architectural drawings, environmental impact assessments, traffic studies, and any other relevant supporting documents. Check with the planning department for specific requirements, as they may change between property types and size of property.
At this point, your client will need to take the reins and hire the necessary attorneys, architects, etc.
Pointing someone in the right direction is all it takes to build trust and loyalty.
Remember that this is a general outline, and the specific steps and requirements may differ based on your local district. So be sure to meet with you planning and development office to get the full run-down.
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