Dirt to Development

Alex Pollack created a data-driven analytical approach to contracting.  Could it be useful in land use entitlements?

Referendum laws are designed to empower citizens by allowing them to challenge legislative decisions through a public vote. However, in recent years, these laws have been increasingly misused by out-of-state union groups as a tool to block zoning changes and halt new developments. This trend has raised concerns that referendum laws are being weaponized to obstruct economic development rather than serve as a check on government power. Listen in as this experience plays out in real time with VAI Resorts.

Anatomy of a zoning case Pt.2: Building a winning strategy during the entitlements phase

Turning the desert into a $7 billion development project is no easy task. Billed as a "city within a city", Halo Vista will feature 2,300 acres, 28 million square feet of mixed-use development capacity, and up to 8,960 residential units as well as industrial, retail, and office spaces.  This truly is a story of dirt to development.

When the development process is fraught with uncertainty, relying on strategic relationships can help you avoid unforeseen pitfalls.  Listen as Scott Isham, Chief of Staff for Maricopa County District 4 Board of Supervisors, helps guide developemnt to a Yes...and shows us how to be a big time movie star.

The path from dirt to development is evolutionary.  Some doors close while new ones open.  Hear Shelby Duplessis's story from engineer to developer, to motivating female empowerment.

2024 was a riot.  No really...some of our cases caused a riot.  Recapping 2024 with our good friend Matt Mancini, Partner at 3 Engineering.

Anatomy of a Zoning Case Pt. 2: Building an effective neighborhood outreach campaign.

Episode 55: Why every project needs alignment between their zoning attorney and civil engineer…with Darrell Wilson of Colliers Engineering and Design.

Anatomy of a zoning case Pt.1: Don't sleep on the pre-filing strategy.

Making news is our jam, and the Phoenix Business Journal is your insider's guide to the world of development. Join us as we navigate the crossroads of land deals and breaking news —because in our world, even dirt has a story to tell.

From band camp to development guru...with Jason Larsen. How a random encounter at Disneyland led to an unexpected and successful career in land development.

Insight and perspective from an excellent civil servant - former Mayor, business executive, and state leader Jenn Daniels.

2024 legislative update on housing bills, resignations, and Adam messes up another word…again!

Why does it feel like every good development project is getting squashed by City traffic departments? If you want to get approvals, you need to hire the best traffic engineers early. Listen as we lament why City traffic departments are like Toby from the office… always killing the vibe.

Digital streaming, online computing, and AI technology have dramatically changed the way we store data and design modern industrial buildings. Jackie Orcutt from CBRE shares how it has changed her land brokerage practice…and Adam reveals his mastery of the English langauge.

Two of our favorite City Managers - Patrick Banger and Kevin Phelps - share why Glendale and Gilbert are some of our favorite places to develop.

What should you do when your use is allowed and the municipality doesn't want it? A huge mistake is assuming the zoning clears the path to develop. Even when zoned, obstacles may still exist with city staff, local politicians, and the process. Here are our suggestions.

We found some surprising nuggets sitting down with Connor Deveraux of CoStar Group in recapping the 2023 year and development sector trends.

Looking back on some of the highlights (and absurdities) from the World of Zoning in 2023, along with Santa's zoning wish list for 2024.

Could Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) be the key to solving Arizona's housing shortage?

How a serial entrepreneur is tackling housing scarcity in a different, sustainable way.

No market segment has performed better that industrial development in Phoenix in recent years. The market is shattering absorption records and attracting major manufacturing, tech, and semiconductor users. Changes in recent finance and interest markets have shown some influence on new construction, but the overall outlook remains optimistic. In this episode we cover the state of the industrial market with Tyson Breinholt at Commercial Properties Inc. and Kevin Miller from Kitchell Development.

What's the point of great land use entitlements if you can't secure the financing to make it all possible.  Having a finance concierge is key to the effort, and precisely what Adam Finkel at Tower Capital does.

With all the wild headlines about groundwater limiting new development, it's time to set the record straight. In Arizona, water and development go hand in hand. But it's not doom and gloom as so many national headlines erroneously claim  Get the facts with Jason, Adam, and Michelle Van Quathem, a water law attorney in Arizona.

Securing project financing is just as important as securing the land use entitlements. Without it, you've got nothing.  George Weisz and Neill LeCorgne from Scottsdale Community Bank give us a peak on the creation of a community bank and how it serves underbanked communities.

While our zoning case work creates headlines, reporting on it is better left to journalistic experts like Roland Murphy, AZBEX Digital Magazine. We hope you enjoy a different take on the Dirt to Development podcast with an expert in covering real estate news

Liquor laws are often an afterthought when it comes to rezoning new property but sophisticated developers know to tackle that issue early in their due diligence phase, precisely what Withey Morris Baugh can help solve. In this episdoe we share practical advice and great stories to help you navigate Arizona liquor laws before building new developments.

When Senator Steve Kaiser proposed legislation to dramatically change zoning laws in 2022, it created huge shockwaves across Arizona towns and cities.  A second attempt in 2023, created a similar reaction before the proposed legislation eventually lost steam at the state capital.  The motive were noble though, and driven by a cause to provide better access to housing and remove barriers that impede new development.  We were delighted to record this conversation with Senator Kaiser during the middle of that fiery debate among policymakers on a highly critical issue in Arizona.

Development might seem repetitive, like jumping a rope, but there are plenty of areas where you can get tripped up.  Recessions, raising equity, obtaining entitlements, securing financing, etc. can all become huge hurdles, but the best developers always find a way to succeed.  Listen in as Larry Pobuda shares how he has created success in both the best, and worst, economic conditions.

Among the factors to consider in creating a site plan, one that is often overlooked is crime prevention and threat assessment.  Listen as Shawn Prinkey from Prinkey Consulting shares how developers should reconsider this aspect early in their site plan design process.

Not all sites are created equal and some require serious problem solving with local land use counsel.  Scott Whittington from Avalon Development share how he was once the office King of Albuquerque and how he pivoted towards retail sites across Arizona with the help of his favorite zoning attorneys.

The Design Review Board is a step in the entitlement process but it can be tricky to win over.  Depending on the quality of the design, it can either be a comedy roast for a poorly designed project, or a coronation for great development.  In this episode we debate the merits of the DRB with a current DRB board member Scott Thomas and local architect Korey Wilkes.  

As anti-multifamily housing opponents become louder and more effective, it was only a matter of time before the pendulum swung back harder.  SB 1117 is a senate bill pending in the Arizona Legislature which has the potential to stymie public engagement and severely limit local zoning control.  Is this a good thing? Listen as we debate SB1117 and its merits.

Experienced architects and engineers know better than to navigate zoning matters solo.  Hear why David Bohn and Nicole Posten-Thompson utilize local zoning counsel early in their design efforts.

2022 was a banner year for Withey Morris and our favorite restaurant Tarbells. Who better to recap it with than an Emmy Award winner, James Beard nominated, Paris-trained, two-time inductee to the Arizona Hall of Culinary Fame, and award winning restaurant owner, Mark Tarbell!!

Quick Land Use Update with Ben Tate: Recapping new state law regarding Major General Plan Amendments and why you should talk to your land use Attorney immediately.

From pinstripe suits and cowboy boots, to Auto malls and State Land, few people have had more of an impact on local development than Mike Withey, the original founder of Withey Morris, PLC and a beloved friend to Jason Morris and Adam Baugh. Enjoy the laughs with us as we take a trip down memory lane and learn why finding friends at the kegger on the first day of law school pays off in the long run.

The state of the residential land market, future projections, and why Arizona is well positioned for long term success.  

What does Elvis at Las Vegas, The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Dirt to Development Podcast at the AZ American Planning Association have in common? History making, wild fans and great performances. Listen as we regale audiences at the APA conference with a little back to the future planning knowledge.

When Greg Vogel started with Coldwell Banker in the early 80's, little did he know about the value of land databases.  In the 40 years since, he created Land Advisors Organization, one of the premier land brokerage firms and leaders in PropTech. Listen as Greg shares how he went from Fraternity Brother to Land Guru while thrusting Arizona to new development frontiers.

Development has inherent risks which is why it is critical to be responsive to new trends and land use changes. Listen to our friends at Thompson Thrift talk about how they make commercial development an experience and destination to adapt to land use trends.

In early 2022, Arizona municipalities and cities were shocked to learn about a proposed bill in the Arizona State Legislature that would drastically handcuff municipal zoning authority in order to bring more affordable housing to market.  We call it the Zoning Attorney Job Killer legislation.  Thankfully, it didn't advance but the bill started a conversation about how Arizona might consider tackling the affordability issue facing housing today.  Caleb Rhodes, Majority Policy Advisor at Arizona House of Representatives, gives some background and insight on what might be on the horizon down at the State Capital.

If you can't play an attorney on TV, at least you can be a great one in real life. In this episode we discuss how land use litigation can affect the best deals and how important it is to assemble the world's best when involving high stakes transactions.

Finding the land deal can be tricky but negotiating the transaction can be more challenging given seller demands, title exceptions, and more. Dave Baker guides us through the real estate transaction, purchase agreement, title review, and closing.

Sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find a prince. Land development and site selection is the same, except choosing a poor site can blow up your deal…and your job. In this episode we learn from the best as they guide us through what to avoid when evaluating potential sites. 

Rezoning land is like navigating a minefield. One bad step and your entitlement case is blown to pieces. Listen in to hear tips and tricks to help navigate your way to success with top zoning experts. 

When the Masters in Real Estate Development (MRED) program launched at ASU in 2006, few people could foresee the role it would play in development projects across Arizona.  In the 16 years since, its influence is seen in the graduates, relationships, and projects that have been created because of it (as well as other copycat programs that imitate its success). In this episode we learn the origins behind the MRED and how it is shaping developments across Arizona.

Agritopia is to planning what the Beatles Sgt. Peppers album is to music – a masterpiece. Joe Johnston's accomplishments as a developer and entrepreneur include other successes like Epicenter, Coffee Plantation, Joe's BBQ, Joe's Farmhouse Grill, Liberty Market, and more. Listen as we hear how Joe reinvented his family farm into a model for place-making and creative development and how William Johnston leads the family legacy onto the next frontier of development. We hope you enjoy this storytelling episode with one of the most eclectic developers around.

Michael Rumpeltin is the design brains behind notable projects like The Yard, Joyride Taco, Stock and Stable, Postinos Highland and more. Hear how he makes unique spaces work with adaptive reuse and experiential retail.