Susan C. Murphy

Transactional and Development

• Represents publicly-traded REITS and private landowners in the acquisition and sale of retail, office, commercial and industrial properties.
• Represents sellers and buyer/developers in the negotiation of agreements for the development of land for multi-family and mixed-use development.
• Represents an environmental remediation and civil construction company in connection with public/private projects involving multiple municipal and state agencies to clean-up and redevelop private and public properties for economic development and public parks and amenities.
• Represents private clients as the master developers under urban renewal plans in coordination with local officials.
• Significant experience with title review, registered land, easements, and related title issues.

Land Use and Zoning

• Represents applicants before permitting boards for all types of development, including subdivisions, multi-family, and commercial projects.
• Counsel private and municipal clients on recent Massachusetts housing legislation, including MBTA community zoning and pending legislation affecting local zoning bylaws and ordinances and private development rights.
• Draft major zoning amendments including conservation subdivision bylaw, downtown overlay district, special permit and site plan review criteria and procedures, and wireless overlay districts.
• Draft special permit, site plan review and subdivision decisions, including residential and commercial subdivisions, Chapter 40B comprehensive permits, site plan recommendations, for all types of projects including multi-family housing, office, retail and industrial developments.

Municipal Law

• Draft and negotiate private/public development agreements between municipalities and private developers. Projects include a land swap and development agreement with zoning amendments for the creation of multi-family housing with affordable units and playing fields, and a development agreement for the rezoning of land for multi-family housing in exchange for preservation of open space and development restrictions.
• Review title in connection with the acquisition, disposition, or development of municipal property.
• Prepare requests for proposals for the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of municipal property.
• Advise all aspects of municipal real estate, including use of community preservation funds for real property interests, street layout and acceptance and discontinuance procedures.
• Represent and advise municipal officials and permitting boards regarding land use applications, including planning, zoning, and wetlands.
• In connection with a coastal resiliency project, prepares procurement documents for consultants and engineers, works with the town engineer and consulting coastal engineers to research and review the impact of various real estate, land use, title and permitting issues on the proposed design of resiliency options, coordinates with state regulatory agencies and local permitting board and officials, participates in preparation of materials for state grant programs, MEPA filings, and presentations for municipal boards and town meeting votes to authorize and fund aspects of the project.
• Review of acquisition, loan documents, and a ground lease for a $6,000,000 Section 8 affordable housing apartment building.