Last night I represented a Land Owner before the City Council of the City of Bee Cave.  The Council was considering approval of a development that my firm is providing development services for.  The Council voted unanimously to approve the development.

A little bit of preparation goes a long way towards achieving approval.  Determining what the individual council members concerns are and addressing those before hand is very helpful.  I will often ask to meet with Commissioners, Board Members, or Council Members in the days before a public hearing.  A face-to-face meeting, in the days before the public hearing, really gives you the best chance for success at the hearing.

Another strategy that I have found brings success is to listen to the concerns of any neighbors of the proposed development.  Sometimes, the concerns may be unrealistic, but I will avoid dismissing these concerns whenever possible.  If the Commissioners, Board Members, or Council Members see that I am being reasonable and accommodating in the face of people with exaggerated protests, then I have made a good impression on them.  The Commissioners, Board Members, or Council Members also do not want to appear to dismiss concerns, but if the Land Owner’s representative calmly addresses these concerns, it makes it easier for them to approve the project, despite the inevitable “not in my backyard” concerns.