How Do You Prove Hardship?
When a property owner applies for a variation (a deviation from a zoning requirement), they must demonstrate that they face a particular hardship that makes it impossible or excessively burdensome to comply with the strict letter of the law. Informally, “hardship” refers to the criteria for reviewing variation applications. When requesting a variation, one of […]
Award-Winning Actor Seeks a Special Use Permit for a Farm
Actor Richard Gere, famous for his roles in films such as “Pretty Woman” and “Chicago,” has purchased the former property of Paul Simon at 82 Brookwood Lane in New Canaan, CT. Gere and his wife, Alejandra Silva, seek a special use permit to allow farming as an accessory use as they plan to transform 27 […]
Business Licensing and Zoning
Starting a new business is exciting, but it often comes with its fair share of administrative hurdles. During the planning stages, it’s important to identify all necessary zoning and business licensing requirements that will allow your business to legally operate. Sometimes, novice business owners come to us for assistance with zoning and licensing only after […]
Katarina Karac Selected as “2024 Rising Star” in Illinois for Land Use and Zoning by Super Lawyers
Katarina Karac, the Founding Attorney of Birchwood Law, has once again been recognized for her exceptional legal knowledge and skills in the field of Land Use and Zoning. Her remarkable achievements have earned her the prestigious title of “2024 Rising Star in Illinois for Land Use and Zoning” by Super Lawyers, a distinction reserved for […]
DIY Zoning
Every year, property owners find themselves in situations where they need zoning relief for a simple project, but they have to weigh the costs of retaining professional services to assist with the zoning process. In some cases, due to financial constraints, property owners choose to go through the zoning process on their own. Although it’s […]
We Provide Interpreter Services
One of the reasons why we love Chicagoland is because of its cultural diversity. So many immigrants come here to make their American dream a reality. For many, this includes starting a business. We believe in empowering immigrant entrepreneurs and business owners because we know what it takes to leave the familiar and embark into […]
Join Our Team!
Job Title: Land Use & Zoning Attorney Position Type: Part-Time Company: Birchwood Law LLC About Us: Birchwood Law is a boutique law firm serving clients in Cook, Lake, and DuPage County in Illinois. We exclusively focus on land use, zoning, municipal law, and litigation. We represent property owners, businesses, real estate developers, and investors on […]
Code Violations: Getting Ahead of Municipal Fines
Property ownership comes with various responsibilities, including compliance with local ordinances and regulations. Many municipalities have the authority to issue daily fines for non-compliance with the health, building, and/or zoning ordinance. While these fines are intended to ensure community safety and property maintenance, there are many problems with how some municipalities go about communicating with […]
Special Considerations for Rezoning Agricultural Land
Rezoning agricultural land to commercial or other uses is a complex and often contentious process that requires careful consideration of various factors, including environmental, economic, and community concerns. Here are some special considerations to keep in mind when considering such a rezoning: The process of rezoning agricultural land for higher-intensity use is complicated and can […]
Are You a Business Owner Thinking About Rezoning a Site?
Choosing the optimal location for a new business or an existing business looking to expand is a major decision. Zoning regulations play a significant role in determining where and how a business can be established. As a business owner in a competitive market, you want to be where there is demand for your product or […]