Overview of Services

VF&N has been active in the Northern Virginia real estate development community for more than 30 years. Our trusted Virginia land use and zoning attorneys and planners have been at the forefront of significant land use projects in Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier, and elsewhere throughout the region.

VF&N knows the local landscape and can provide legal guidance at every stage of the life-cycle of commercial real estate projects, including acquisition, financing, entitlement, development, leasing and disposition. We have forged positive relationships within the industry, as well as with state and local governments, owners’ associations, and other stakeholders. Contact our office today to speak with one of our experience Virginia land use and zoning lawyers today.

Experience

  • Mixed used development: Represented the City of Manassas Economic Development Authority regarding the legal work necessary for the development of The Landing at Cannon Branch, mixed used development which will house, a brewery, hotels, retail, offices, restaurants and over 270 new homes
  • Winery vs development covenants: Represented Effingham Manor, an 18th century historic estate converted into a winery, in an opposition case stating that it breached the community’s development covenants. Prince William County Circuit Court ruled in favor of our client, allowing Effingham Manor Winery to open for business.
  • Nature preserve & parks: Shepherded the sale of a 300 acre parcel to a consortium of federal, state and private parties that resulted in the creation of a nature preserve. Also facilitated the conversion of a derelict water treatment plant into a pocket park.
  • Special permit amendment for international retailer: Successfully represented international retailer seeking approval of special permit amendment to expand convenience store gas station; matter involved substantial community outreach with influential citizen’s group in Fairfax.
  • Municipalities: Advised municipalities in connection with various zoning and land use matters including Virginia’s new proffer legislation; sign ordinances after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert; the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), and federal constitutional issues in connection with zoning ordinances pertaining to certain land uses.
  • Performance bond agreements: Advised municipalities in drafting performance bond agreements for site/subdivision, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control and landscaping improvements & BZA appeals.
  • Utility providers: Successfully resolved complex easement disputes on behalf of electrical utility providers.

Related Services

Team

Services Include:

Board of Zoning Appeals Commercial and Residential Zoning Opinion Letters Comprehensive Plan Analysis Deeds of Subdivision, Dedication, Vacation and Easement Design and Construction Manual Review Monitoring Zoning Changes, Litigation Developments and Comprehension Plan Issues Nonconforming Use and Interprettion Property Owners’ Associations Proffers and Proposal Conditions Rezoning and Variances Signage Special Use Permits and Special Exceptions Subdivision and Site Plan review Zoning and Building Code Issues Zoning Enforcement Issues Zoning Text Amendments Zoning Verification

Testimonials

“With Mike Vanderpool’s zoning and planning expertise, The Pyramid Companies were successful in establishing relationships within Prince William County and were able to effectively obtain site plan approval for the expansion of Manassas Mall.”

Stephen J. Congel CEO of Pyramid Management Group, LLC

“I have enjoyed a long term relationship with Mike and his team. Since I relocated to this area 30 years ago we have worked together on many successful projects thanks to him and his team’s skill & ability to get projects approved. I have always found them to be very professional, informed as to the issues relating to my projects and prepared when it came to presentations to boards, planning commissions and councils. They work well with the other outside professionals on my team and Mike is truly a team player. I highly recommend his firm and am convinced there are projects I would not have completed without their involvement.”

Ron Skarke

Related News

It’s My Property – I Can Build What I Want To! 

Virginia has a complex system of zoning laws in place to regulate land use and development. These laws can be confusing for property owners, especially those unfamiliar with the regulations that apply to a specific property. Our land use team aims to demystify Virginia zoning...

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Celebrating Excellence: Olaun Simmons of Vanderpool, Frostick, and Nishanian, P.C. receives Virginia Lawyers Weekly Leader in the Law Award

(Photo from Virginia’s Lawyers Weekly) At Vanderpool, Frostick, and Nishanian, P.C., we are thrilled to announce and celebrate the well-deserved recognition of Olaun Simmons as a distinguished recipient of the Leader in the Law, award presented by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. This prestigious award is a...

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Do your homework: Zoning Laws and the Pitfalls of Buying Vacant Property

Written by: Olaun Simmons Buying vacant land can be a great investment, but it’s important to do your homework before making any purchases. One major consideration is zoning laws, which can have a significant impact on what you can and cannot do with your property....

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Prince William County’s Pathway to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan: One Step Closer

Written by: Olaun Simmons, Esq. The Prince William County Board of Supervisors have been working diligently to finalize the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. When it is adopted by the Board of County Supervisors, the 2040 Comprehensive Plan will help guide future land use and development for...

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The Mixed Use District  – A Flexible Approach to Use and Density

Written by: Olaun Simmons, Esq. In 2021, Prince William County adopted a new zoning district entitled “Mixed Use District (MXD).” The new Mixed Use District seeks to provide a thoughtful approach to development because it allows for flexible land development, promotestransit-oriented development, and encourages a mix...

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Community Meeting with American Legion Post 114

Written by: Olaun Simmons VF&N’s Olaun Simmons attended a community meeting with American Legion Post 114 and People, Inc. to discuss the revitalization of the historic American Legion Post building and the development of duplexes on Prince William Street in Manassas, Virginia. If you have...

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City of Manassas Approves Special Use Permit for Building Expansion

Written by: Olaun Simmons City of Manassas Approves Special Use Permit for Building Expansion Olaun Simmons of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. represented the Prince William Islamic Center in their pursuit of a special use permit to expand their place of worship located on Mathis...

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Town of Quantico: Chesapeake Bay Preservation

Olaun A. Simmons, as legal counsel for the Town of Quantico, Virginia, recently completed a lengthy and extensive review and revision of the Town of Quantico’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan in order to achieve compliance with Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. As...

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Six Attorneys Named Legal Elite in 2019

Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is proud to announce that six of its attorneys have been recognized by the Virginia Business Magazine as being among Virginia’s “Legal Elite” within their various practice categories. All of the attorneys named have been nominated as Legal Elite in the...

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Four VF&N attorneys rated AV Preeminent®

Congratulations to our team of AV Preeminent® attorneys Randolph Frostick, Olaun Simmons, Michael Vanderpool & Kristina Keech Spitler! AV Preeminent® is Martindale-Hubbell’s highest professional achievement, a designation trusted worldwide by buyers and referrers of legal services. The process of Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ has been...

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Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds

Tax reform legislation enacted in 2017 created the opportunity for significant new capital gains tax benefits for investors in qualified opportunity funds (QOFs). The primary purpose of the law is to create economic development as well as job creation in economically distressed communities. The Treasury,...

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Book Smarts…VF&N attorney, textbook contributor

Pictured above: VF&N land use and zoning attorney, Karen Cohen, with legendary engineer, Sid Dewberry, PE, LS, Chairman Emeritus, Dewberry, Kat Grimsley, Director of the MS Real Estate Development program at George Mason University, and the team of book contributors, celebrating the publication of the...

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Land use and zoning explained: Repurposing an established building through a special use permit

The commercial real estate and property sector in Northern Virginia and Prince William County has experienced fluctuations in recent years which resulted in vacant buildings. For the owners of these properties, they’re left with a tough decision – let the property stay vacant or repurpose...

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Cheers to Randy for Effingham Manor Winery Win

VF&N Litigation Attorney Randolph D. Frostick Wins Case for Effingham Manor Winery This story was reported in full in VA Lawyers’ Weekly (login required). The Case The conversion of the 18th century historic estate, Effingham Manor, into a winery caused a stir among residential neighbors who...

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The Landing At Cannon Branch Moves Forward with Grants

On Wednesday, representatives from the City of Manassas came together with Governor Terry McAuliffe and Buchanan Partners to announce the receipt of grants permitting the construction of a new brewery and restaurant in the commercial development of the Gateway Center, now known as The Landing...

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