At KD Law Group, our real estate law experts are constantly working local cases regarding commercial developments, zoning variances in subdivisions, and large construction plans. While all of it is important to the business owners and citizens of South Jersey, on rare occasions, it’s for the birds. In this case… chickens.
Local clients come to KD Law because we’ve proven time and again we can cut through the red tape and get approvals regarding land use planning and zoning legal services. Land use planning is when we facilitate development plans in South Jersey by handling zoning variances, subdivisions, lot line adjustments, and conditional use approvals. Zoning compliance consists of dealing with local zoning ordinances to ensure a project adheres to all necessary regulations.
Fighting for South Jersey Land Use. Fighting for Chickens.
In this particular case, our team was pivotal in helping a Buena Borough resident maintain her right to farm chickens on her own property. While she had been farming chickens on her property for years, the town recently changed its laws. As a result, this sweet lady worried she was going to be forced to give up her passion — her chickens.
Even though the town’s laws were changed regarding farming chickens on your personal property, KD Law Group made sure our client’s rights didn’t fly the coop. Our secret weapon? Obtaining a Certification of Non-Conforming Use from the Borough of Buena Land Use Board.
It’s Not Chicken Scratch — How A Certification of Non-Conforming Use Benefits Local Residents
While a certification of non-conforming use sounds complex, it’s basically the legal world’s version of being grandfathered in.
On occasion, a municipality needs to update local ordinances to reflect growth, population changes, or evolving community needs. While most business owners and residents go along with these revised laws, there are always a few who are negatively affected. That’s when a Certification of Non-Conforming Use comes into play.
It formally recognizes that a property owner was using their land legally before the rule change. Therefore, they have the right to continue using their land in the same way under the new laws.
In our client’s case, she had been raising chickens long before the zoning updates took effect. The Certification of Non-Conforming we obtained on her behalf ensured she kept her rights to continue farming her chickens. A win-win for our client and her fowl.
Getting Our Ducks In A Row to Save Her Chickens
Always a team effort, this particular case was made successful because of our collaboration from a local engineering and planning organization that provided expert professional planning testimony that helped secure the Board’s approval.
While it’s always great when we secure a zoning variance victory for a subdivision or maximizing property use for a business, this case especially warmed our hearts. Congratulations to our client for this well-earned win, and a special thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.
While it’s always great when we secure a zoning variance victory for a subdivision or maximizing property use for a business, this case especially warmed our hearts. Congratulations to our client for this well-earned win, and a special thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.
