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Some of the most contentious debates in government on any level have to do with the duty to regulate the use of land. Competing interests of owners, developers, abutters, and environmentalists have provided fertile ground (pardon the pun) for a large and growing body of regulatory, statutory and case law. People all over the world argue about dirt. As terra firma becomes smaller and the population expands, the arguments over dirt will become more frequent and contentious.
Melanie has worked within the environmental and development communities for decades. She has helped to create solutions that meet the needs and goals of her clients, whether they are developers, environmental nonprofits or public environmental agencies. Representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in eminent domain takings and negotiated acquisitions to preserve public access to beaches, lakes and ponds, to protect view, open space, wildlife corridors and agricultural land, Melanie has advocated for public access and resource protection.
In the private sector, Melanie represents developers on commercial and residential projects from acquisition to disposition, including: strategic planning, financing, critical path analysis for permitting, environmental review, representation before regulatory bodies, construction, and disposition. All projects require diplomacy, cooperation and genuine interest in the concerns of abutters and other “interested parties”.
With extensive experience representing both public and private sector clients, Melanie’s understanding and appreciation of entities on each side of a land use matter has provided her with a depth of experience and agility in the resolution of disputes. Melanie recognizes that competing interests are a given in any land use matter.
Ms. Hagopian works with natural resource and land use planners, landscape architects and other project professionals in developing strategic plans that address her client’s land use needs and the concerns of the larger community. In collaboration and consultation with these experts, Melanie assists clients in the development of environmental and planning documents required for success before regulatory bodies. She provides legal and land use consulting services to owners, developers and other parties before Planning and Zoning Boards and Conservation Commissions in permit and application processes.
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