Historic Preservation Counsel
Whether you are restoring a landmark, building in a historic district, or fighting to keep a building off the wrecking ball, the rules are technical and the deadlines are short. Sean Suder was lead counsel for Cincinnati's historic preservation ordinance, and we know how to use it.
Historic Preservation
As the City of Cincinnati's Chief Counsel for Land Use and Planning, Sean Suder served as lead counsel for the creation of the City's award-winning historic preservation ordinance and as counsel to the Historic Conservation Board. Since founding Suder, the firm has secured approvals for adaptive reuse and infill projects in historic districts and obtained emergency court orders that saved a 150-year-old bell tower in Over-the-Rhine from demolition. We handle certificates of appropriateness, landmark designations, preservation advocacy, and the zoning questions that come with historic property.
How we help
- Certificates of appropriateness before historic conservation and landmark boards
- Landmark and historic district designations (supporting or opposing)
- Adaptive reuse and infill approvals in historic districts
- Demolition permits, economic hardship claims, and emergency injunctions
- Preservation advocacy for neighborhoods and community councils
- Zoning and variance issues unique to historic buildings
Representative matters.
Saving the Washington Park bell tower
Lead counsel for the successful effort to save the 150-year-old church bell tower on Washington Park, including multiple emergency court orders, personally argued and won by J.P. Burleigh, that halted demolition in the Over-the-Rhine Historic District.
Crosley Building adaptive reuse
Lead land use counsel for the $50 million conversion of the former Crosley Radio Corp. headquarters into 175 to 250 apartments, with a focus on providing units to artists.
Affordable senior housing in the historic urban core
Suder helped secure a key approval for an affordable senior housing project in one of Cincinnati's historic neighborhoods after the design was reworked to respect its context. Proof that the firm gets projects built in historic districts, not just blocked.
Use variances: Mt. Lookout Community Council v. Cincinnati
Representing the neighborhood community council, Suder won a reversal vacating a use variance that would have allowed the demolition of four buildings in Mt. Lookout. The court held that demolition is not a land use that can be permitted through a use variance.
Everything real property.
Land Use & Zoning
Rezonings, variances, PUDs, appeals, and zoning opinions. At Suder, zoning is not another practice area; it is the practice area.
ExploreReal Property Litigation & Appeals
Trial and appellate counsel in real property disputes, with published decisions in Ohio's courts of appeals.
ExploreReal Estate Transactions
Acquisitions, leasing, joint ventures, financings, and condominium structures, handled by former big-firm lawyers.
ExploreEminent Domain & Takings
More than 100 property owners represented in appropriation, inverse condemnation, and regulatory takings matters.
ExploreReal Estate Taxation
Valuation challenges before boards of revision and the Board of Tax Appeals, and abatements that make projects pencil.
ExploreLocal Counsel & Co-Counsel
Ohio and Northern Kentucky local counsel for national firms, plus Texas and New York transactional counsel.
ExploreTalk to us about historic preservation.
Tell us what you are trying to build, buy, keep, or defend. We will tell you plainly how we can help.