Zoning & Land Use

Steve Geller has represented numerous international, national, and local clients on zoning matters, primarily in South Florida.

Geller has focused his representation on infill development and redevelopment.  He has successfully represented clients in obtaining development rights for hotels, multi-family rental housing, multi-family condominium projects, and mixed-use projects.  These projects have ranged in size from millions of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars.  In addition, Geller has successfully represented a number of gasoline stations/convenience stores seeking development approvals.  Geller has worked on and is familiar with LEED developments.  Where local codes permit, Geller has worked on alternative fee arrangements on these types of projects, including working on flat fee, fixed monthly retainer, or contingency fee arrangements.

Through his background in elective office, Geller has developed a deep understanding of the underpinnings of development policy in Florida.  During the twenty years that Geller served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, Geller served on the committees regulating development policy in Florida for eighteen of those years, including serving as both Ranking Minority Member and Chairman of the Committee.  Geller has spoken throughout the State of Florida on development issues.  As a currently serving member of the Broward County Commission, Geller has deep knowledge about development issues in Broward County and throughout South Florida.  Geller has a Regional perspective on these issues through Geller’s current position as Treasurer of the South Florida Regional Planning Council.  As former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Opa Locka, the Town of Miami Lakes and the Village of El Portal, Geller has been involved with zoning and land use issues and has rendered advice and opinions to the municipalities on zoning and land use issues.

Geller has appeared in front of many levels of Government for approvals, including zoning and code enforcement boards, zoning appeals boards, City and County Commissions, and the Florida Land And Water Adjudicatory Commission (which consists of the Governor and Cabinet of Florida).  Geller’s philosophy is to work closely with local government staff and neighbors to reach as much of an agreement on development as is possible.  Geller has received awards from groups such as the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the Florida Community Associations Institute.

Geller is rated an  “A-V Preeminent” attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating for both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards.  Geller has been named in Florida Super Lawyers, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers,  South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers, and received other awards of distinction for his legal abilities and reputation.  Geller is “of-counsel” to the prominent Boca Raton law firm Sachs Sax Caplan, giving Geller the ability to handle matters that require additional resources or attorneys.