Agenda / Content Covered

1. Land Use and Zoning Legal Essentials
   10:00 - 11:00, Mark Hazelbaker
   
   1. Land Use vs. Zoning
   2. How the Approval Process Works: A Brief Overview
   3. The Scope of Zoning Board Authority
   4. Regulatory Framework: Building Codes, Comprehensive Plans, Ordinances and More
   5. The Paralegal's Role in Land Use and Zoning Practice
2. Fundamentals of the Land Use Approval Process
   11:15 - 12:15, Mark Hazelbaker
   
   1. Understanding Who Holds Decision-Making Authority
   2. Preparing the Application: Complete Checklist of Information to Include
   3. Permitting Process Walkthrough
   4. Following the Environmental Review Process
   5. Open Meeting Laws and Practical Tips
3. Obtaining Variances and Conditional Use Permits
   12:15 - 1:15, Aravind Aithal
   
   1. Navigating the Conditional Use Review Process
   2. Essential Forms and Applications: What to Use and Where to Find It
   3. Understanding Local Rulemaking Procedures
   4. Communicating with Local Government Offices
   5. Tips for Collecting and Organizing Supporting Evidence
4. Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendments for Paralegals
   1:45 - 2:45, Aravind Aithal
   
   1. Demonstrating Compatibility with Surrounding Property Use
   2. Obtaining Information About Neighboring Properties
   3. Aligning Amendments with Comprehensive Plans
   4. Working with the Planning Boards/Departments
   5. Providing Evidence for Other Criteria
5. Assisting with the Appeals Process
   2:45 - 3:45, Brian Balstad
   
   1. The Appeals Process Step-by-Step
   2. Preparing and Filing the Appeal
   3. Drafting Motions
   4. Working with Expert Witnesses
   5. How Litigation Can Be Used to Resolve a Zoning Case
6. Paralegal Ethics
   4:00 - 5:00, Mark Hazelbaker
   
   1. Conflicts of Interest
   2. Avoiding UPL
   3. Confidentiality in Real Estate Practice
   4. Disclosure of Defects

ARAVIND AITHAL is an attorney with Bob Smith & Associates in Piscataway, New Jersey. Mr. Aithal has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is a diplomate in New Jersey local government law. He serves as the city of New Brunswick’s Zoning Board and Planning Board attorney. Mr. Aithal is a land use attorney who appears before many planning and zoning boards statewide. He also has served as the Middlesex Borough attorney and is part-time municipal prosecutor in Somerville, Spotswood, East Brunswick, Middlesex and South Brunswick. Mr. Aithal is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association. He earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and his J.D. degree from Rutgers University School of Law.

BRIAN BALSTAD owns and operates The Balstad Law Firm located in Fargo, North Dakota. He primarily practices land use planning and zoning law. Mr. Balstad is admitted to practice in the state of Minnesota; state of North Dakota; United States District Court, District of Minnesota; United States District Court, District of North Dakota; United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; and Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Balstad also owns and operates Integrity Public Service Solutions, a land use planning and zoning consulting firm, located in West Fargo, North Dakota. In addition to advising local government and representing clients against local government in land use planning and zoning matters, Mr. Balstad has also worked for local government as a land use and zoning supervisor in a county environmental office. Mr. Balstad earned a Bachelor of Science in public administration, a minor in political science, a Master of Public Administration, and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota. He earned a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a graduate certificate in geographic information systems from the University of Florida. Mr. Balstad is an AICP certified planner. He has provided continuing education presentations regarding land use planning and zoning law, eminent domain and condemnation law, public and private nuisances, easements, and other real property subjects to attorneys, engineers, land surveyors, and planners. He has also presented on the topics of government, legislative processes, and lobbying.

MARK HAZELBAKER is an attorney with Kasieta Legal Group, LLC. He continues to emphasize representation of local governments, small businesses, and litigation. Mr. Hazelbaker began his career as legal counsel of the Wisconsin Counties Association. He served as personnel director/corporation counsel, and later as administrative coordinator for Manitowoc County. Mr. Hazelbaker has been in private practice since 1992, first with downtown Madison law firms, and then in his own firm since 1999. He has lectured many times on labor and employment law, land use law, and municipal law for various business and professional groups. Mr. Hazelbaker has also published law reviews and other articles. He is a member of the Dane County Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin (Litigation and Labor and Employment and Government Lawyers Division sections). Mr. Hazelbaker earned his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin and his J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.