Collin Brown is a Member of Alexander Ricks PLLC and focuses his practice on land use, zoning and governmental relations. He represents land owners and developers on a wide range of development projects, including commercial, mixed-use, office and transportation, and is engaged in development projects from the rezoning stage through the issuance of building permits and enforcement issues that arise during the life of a development.
Mr. Brown regularly works with local Boards of Adjustment, City Councils, County Commissions, and other local governmental bodies on behalf of clients seeking approvals or opposing local government decisions relating to zoning, permitting, changes of use, variances, annexations, special use permits, site plans, subdivisions and right-of-way abandonments. He has obtained entitlements for some of the largest and most sophisticated development projects in the Charlotte region.
Mr. Brown is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), a distinction he earned through the Green Building Certification Institute. As a LEED AP, he has a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles, as well as the LEED Rating System. He was the first North Carolina attorney to earn this credential.
Education:
- Wake Forest University (J.D., 2003)
- Georgia State University (M.P.A., 2005)
- University of Mississippi (B.A.,1999)
Admissions:
Achievements:
- Best Lawyers in America, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2018-2019
- Charlotte Business Journal, "40 Under 40" Award, 2016
Professional Background:
- American Bar Association, Member
- Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Land Use Committee, Member
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association, Member
- North Carolina State Bar Association, Member
- Piedmont Public Policy Institute, Board Chairman and Member
- Real Estate Building Industry Coalition, Member
- Rotary Club of Charlotte, Member
- Urban Land Institute (ULI), Member
Publications:
- Quoted, "Other parts of Charlotte have plenty of grocery stores. Why not NoDa?," The Charlotte Observer, 12 April 2018
- Quoted, "New Charlotte development plan puts affordable housing and traffic on collision course," The Charlotte Observer, 20 February 2018
- Quoted, "Wave of proposed townhouse projects around University Research Park leaves some neighbors worried," Charlotte Business Journal, 20 December 2017
- Quoted, "Ballantyne residents concerned more homes could come to the area," The Charlotte Observer, 30 November 2017
- Quoted, "Proposed changes to Rea Farms project have some area residents worried," Charlotte Business Journal, 22 November 2017
- Quoted, "What Projects were approved at Charlotte City Council's zoning meeting?," Charlotte Business Journal, 17 October 2017
- Quoted, "Proposed south Charlotte projects expose concerns for traffic impact," Charlotte Business Journal, 19 September 2017
- Quoted, "Residents, businesses fight to save neighborhood culture in Charlotte development wave," WSOCTV, 10 July 2017
- Quoted, "Beacon's latest South End project could become taller," Charlotte Business Journal, 20 June 2017
- Quoted, "Fighting a development in your neighborhood? Here are five tips from pros in the trenches," The Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2017
- Quoted, "How developers, residents can find common ground in fast-growing Charlotte," Charlotte Business Journal, 31 May 2017
- Quoted, "Charlotte City Council's priority has been to disperse affordable housing. That may change.," The Charlotte Observer, 7 October 2016
- Quoted, "Major new South End development could include mix of office, retail, residential and more," The Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2016
- Quoted, "What will redevelopment of high-profile South End site bring? Beacon's meeting offers a glimpse," Charlotte Business Journal, 11 May 2016
- Quoted, "Hotel planned for prominent South End corner," The Charlotte Observer, 29 January 2016
- Quoted, "The Colony could upgrade SouthPark street network," The Charlotte Weekly, 23 December 2015
- Quoted, "Few oppose revised project," The Mecklenburg Times, 16 December 2015
- Quoted, "SouthPark plan opponent says proposed development is too 'massive'," The Charlotte Observer, 14 December 2015
- Quoted, "Concord asks developer, opponents to settle differences," The Mecklenburg Times, 16 November 2015
- Quoted, "Developers pass on Charlotte low-income housing incentive," The Charlotte Observer, 12 October 2015
- Quoted, "Colony plans withdrawn, resubmitted following protest petition," The Charlotte Observer, 28 September 2015
- Quoted, "Topgolf targeting Whitehall Corporate Center for first Charlotte Location," Charlotte Business Journal, 22 September 2015
- Quoted, "551-home development gets green light," The Independent Tribune, 21 September 2015
- Quoted, "Community's input key for affordable housing," Charlotte Business Journal, 21 June 2013
- Author, "Caveat Emptor: The Importance of Land Use Due Diligence and Understanding Non-conformity Issues," ULI Charlotte News, 18 September 2012
- Author, "Change to Charlotte land-use policy a step forward," Charlotte Business Journal, 7 October 2011
- Quoted, "Water-rule changes in Charlotte could open door to development," Charlotte Business Journal, 17 June 2011
- Co-author, "Stormwater rules to hit hard," Charlotte Business Journal, 14 July 2008
- Quoted, "Land values put pressure on zoning restrictions," Charlotte Business Journal, 3 September 2007
- Author, "Storm-water proposal may carry hefty price tag," Charlotte Business Journal, 2 April 2007
Speaking Engagements:
- Panelist, "Pint-Sized Legal Issues in an Emerging Industry: Can Local Brewers Have their Beer and Drink it Too?" May 31, 2017
- Panelist, "We Are Not Talking about Shelley's Rule Here!" Bobbitt Inn of Court Meeting, September 23, 2015
Representative Work:
- Representation of real estate developer in the rezoning of a 27 acre infill site in the SouthPark area of Charlotte, NC, to accommodate the development of up to 990 apartments, 225 hotel rooms, 250,000 square feet of office space, and 300,000 square feet of retail uses.
- Representation of a full-service real estate company in the rezoning of an 194 acre former golf course site in Charlotte, NC, for the development of over 1,000,000 square feet of commercial uses, 1,000 residential units and a variety of civic and institutional uses.
- Representation of a real estate developer in the rezoning of a project site for the development of a 27-story office tower and hotel in Uptown Charlotte, NC.
- Representation of a real estate developer in the rezoning of a 2.65 acre infill site in Charlotte, NC, for the development of a mixed-use project with up to 35,000 square feet of commercial space.
- Representation of a real estate developer and an independent real estate company in the rezoning of a 3.65 acre property in the SouthPark area of Charlotte, NC, for the development of a seven-story building with two hotels.
- Representation of a real estate, oil and gas, and other natural resources company in the rezoning of 2.77 acres in the Dilworth area of Charlotte, NC, for the development of as many as 380 apartments, up to 25,000 square feet of commercial space and 10,000 square feet of residential support services.
- Representation of a real estate developer in the rezoning of 8 acres in the SouthPark area of Charlotte, NC, for the development of 398 rental units.
- Representation of a real estate developer in the rezoning of 19 acres south of Ballantyne, NC, for the development of a 281-unit apartment project.
- Representation of a non-profit real estate developer in the rezoning of 10 acres in the NoDa area of Charlotte, NC, for a transit-oriented development which was the first TOD rezoning approved along the Blue Line extension.
- Representation of a real estate developer in the rezoning of 8 acres in the Cotswold area of Charlotte, NC, for the development of an assisted living and memory-care community.
- Representation of a manufacturer in the rezoning of a 10 acre infill site to accommodate the expansion of an industrial operation.
- Representation of an outdoor advertising company to obtain a text amendment to a zoning ordinance to allow for digital billboards.
- Representation of various national homebuilding companies in obtaining approvals for new single-family developments throughout Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties.
- Representation of the City of Charlotte and the City of Charlotte Zoning Board in an appellate case in which the petitioner alleged a single-family home exceeded the zoning height requirement. The decision was favorably reversed. Meier v. City of Charlotte, et al. (N.C. Ct. App).
