ABSTRACT
The Real Estate Development Matrix in Exhibit 18.1 highlights the Approval and Permits Tasks in the context of the other groups of Tasks. While each Stage of the Real Estate Development Process starts with the Acquisition Tasks and ends with the Disposition Tasks, the other tasks are done almost simultaneously because they are all related to each other. Real estate development is a highly regulated process that requires government, as well as private, approvals and permits. Developers must realize that there is a "natural tension" in the approval and permitting process that can be used positively or negatively by developers. Developers must not take it personally. The natural tension is necessary for the resolution of the permit and approval requests. The Approvals and Permits Tasks bring into sharp focus the problems caused by overlapping governmental authorities who often have competing political agendas. Well-meaning developers can easily get played as unwitting pawns in inter jurisdictional squabbles between governmental agencies.
