Matthew S. Gray - Lawyer in San Francisco, CA

Matthew Gray focuses his practice on land use entitlement processing andlitigation. He represents a range of local agencies, real estate developers andlandowners in all stages of the land use entitlement and development process. Heassists clients in negotiating and securing approval of development agreements,general plan amendments, specific plans, zoning, subdivision approvals, andannexation of property into cities and special districts, regularly appearsbefore planning commissions and city councils, and advises clients on compliancewith the California Environmental Quality Act and other federal and stateregulatory programs during the development process. Matt also has experiencenegotiating affordable housing agreements, complex mitigation fee agreements andconservation easements, forming land-based financing mechanisms, includingMello-Roos Districts, securing cancellation or termination of Williamson Actcontracts on agricultural lands, advising clients on issues relating to watersupply, and using the initiative and referendum process in the land use planningcontext. Matt also negotiates purchase and sale agreements, site developmentagreements, covenants, conditions, and restrictions, and related transactionaldocuments in connection with mixed-use, commercial, and residential developmentprojects.

Matt litigates land use matters in the state and federalcourts, having defended clients in challenges under the California EnvironmentalQuality Act, the Planning Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map Act, theNational Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act,and the National Historic Preservation Act, as well as local zoning ordinances,conditions of approval and general plans. He also regularly defends landownersin eminent domain litigation, including complex matters involving challenges toan agencys right-to-take and valuation of goodwill.

Matt has worked ona wide variety of significant land use projects throughout California, includinglarge urban redevelopment projects, military base reuse projects, mixed-usewaterfront developments, renewable energy and related infrastructure projects,regional shopping centers, and master-planned residentialcommunities.

Matt teaches an Annual Land Use Law Review and Update courseat University of California Davis Extension. He has also taught Planning Law andLegal Process at University of California Berkeley Extension. He regularlylectures on the Subdivision Map Act through California Continuing Education ofthe Bar (CEB) and before local municipal engineers associations.

He isan active member of San Francisco Planning and Urban Research (SPUR) and the BayArea Council. He serves on the board of directors of the AIDS Legal ReferralPanel, and previously served as a board member and chair of the Amicus Committeeof Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom.