Since the 1950’s, the subject property in this action was considered a duplex, and due to zoning changes, was also a legal nonconforming use. The petitioners in this matter, Rosema, sought an interpretation under the code, questioning whether the subject property’s nonconforming use status had lapsed as abandoned. The City of Seattle’s Department of Planning [...]
When I heard that Fab.com, a flourishing e-commerce site that recently reached the 2 million mark in membership and that this month, the site is introducing five new vertical shops, I wanted to get a peek behind the scenes. So I went to Bradford Shell…
The Board of County Commissioners of Charles County, after holding hearings and conducting a site visit to the subject property, granted a conditional special exception to WSG Holdings, allowing WSG to construct a research facility – a use not permissible in the zone district. Municipal residents appealed this determination the Circuit Court for Charles County [...]
From the air, a series of flat, gray, industrial looking waterfront piers jut out into the Delaware River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “MetroZepp,” our aerial historic tour blimp, hovers as it suddenly detects the distinct emergence of Design. We…
This case is one of three challenging the decision of the City of Baltimore to create a Planned Unit Development in the area of north central Baltimore. Previously, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City determined that the challengers, in this matter Ray and Coyne, lacked standing to bring the challenge, and they appealed from this [...]
Everyone involved in design agrees that he or she wants to improve and enhance people’s lives. At M.I.N.D Labs or Media, Interface, and Network Design Labs, that goal becomes eminently clear. A consortium comprised of 11 university design labs includ…
Following denial of a special permit application, the trial court annulled the Board’s decision and the Town appealed. The Town claimed that the petition should not have been heard by the Supreme Court because it was untimely filed more than 30 days after the determination. However, the appellate court found the petition timely as it [...]
Plaintiff is the owner of thirty seven acres of land originally zoned commercial. Interested in developing the land, Plaintiff retained a developer who submitted a proposal to build a condominium building on the property. On the same day, the city rezoned an area of the city, including approximately thirty of plaintiff’s acres to residential/conservation. Under [...]
The Emmanuel Brethren Assembly Church sought a variance to use their building to host church services. The zoning laws requires this type of use to have at least twenty-five off street parking spaces and the property only had room for twelve. After four hearings, the zoning board of appeals denied the church’s request. The church [...]
The building that houses the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an exquisite disc that enhances the National Mall in Washington, DC. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute, the Hirshhorn is shaped like a perfectly round donut that rests on …
Burns Holding purchased a parcel of property in Teton County, Idaho near the city of Driggs to construct a concrete plant. Although the land was not part of the city, it was within the city impact area and, thus, the city’s zoning laws apply. As part of a Driggs’ zoning ordinance, no building was allowed [...]
Images from MoMA exhibition site: http://www.moma.org/foreclosed
The newly opened show at the Museum of Modern Art, Foreclosed: Rehousing the American Dream, through July 30, fails to accomplish what it claims: to address one of the most critical issu…
Plaintiffs purchased and began new construction and repairs on residential property. Shortly after, the town code enforcement officer discovered plaintiffs had failed to obtain a building permit and issued a stop work order. Plaintiffs applied for the permit, however, the application was denied because the plaintiff’s lot was too small for their intended use. Plaintiffs [...]
Early this year, when I read in The New York Times that Eva Zeisel had died, I immediately thought of my plexiglas salad bowl. It was passed down to me by my father who was very much interested in materials and design, both in his business as a seller…
