The Demise of Single-Family Zoning and Other Legal Strategies for Addressing Affordable Housing

An inspirational visionary, Kelly Doran is the founder of Doran Companies. One of three partners at Doran Companies, Kelly has used his more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate to firmly establish Doran Companies as a trend-setting developer across the Upper Midwest.

Named “The Most Admired CEO” by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal and “Executive of the Year” by the Minnesota Real Estate Journal in addition to being selected as a member of the Minnesota Shopping Center Hall of Fame, the Business Journals’ National Influencers List in Commercial Real Estate and Twin Cities Business’ Hall of Fame, Kelly is one of the most prolific developers in the Upper Midwest.

Kelly received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota and his MBA from what is now the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

Jennifer Bragar’s practice is focused on land use, real estate, municipal and environmental law. She represents business, community and government entities in matters unique to land use planning and municipal law. She has appeared before the Land Use Board of Appeals and Oregon Court of Appeals, and is a frequent lecturer and author on Oregon land use law.

Jennifer has been involved with a number of significant cases in Oregon, including advocacy for a coalition of private property owners who challenged a Umatilla County ordinance that would have severely restricted land available for commercial wind facilities in 2011, as well as cases protective of farm and forest land. Further, Jennifer assists in obtaining entitlements for a range of projects including affordable housing and negotiating development agreements for commercial and employment zoned properties in Oregon and Washington. She has represented multiple clients on hazardous waste cleanup actions arising under federal and state Superfund laws and represents firms developing natural resource mitigating projects. This work involved negotiations with federal and state regulators, cost recovery and contribution actions, the allocation of liability among private parties, and natural resource damage claims. Jennifer’s prior experience as a partner at a large northwest law firm further expands the depth of expertise at Tomasi Salyer Martin.

Before entering private practice, Jennifer founded JB Associates (1999-2003), a land use and political consulting firm in the Monterey Bay area providing services to clients around the central coast of California. She has worked closely with government agencies, developers and community activists to achieve balanced development proposals that satisfy the requirements of all participants in the review process. She has managed campaigns for the district attorney, other elected officials, and a variety of local Santa Cruz ballot measures.

Her experience and background serves clients well, providing first-hand perspective and understanding of the implications of the land use decision-making process in the local political arena. She offers clients a practical approach to dealing with their land use issues.

Heather Worthington provides leadership to the Long Range Planning Division, which is responsible for the Comprehensive Plan, Small Area Plans, Public Art, Historic Preservation and Parklet Program. One of a seven member leadership team at CPED. Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, and part of the 16th largest MSA in the United States.

Howard’s practice includes a broad real estate litigation and transactional focus. His clients include both international and local real estate individuals and companies. He has successfully tried scores of condemnation cases, before both court-appointed commissioners and juries, and has obtained excellent results for his clients.

He has handled real estate transactions and disputes involving commercial, industrial sales, acquisitions, leasing and land use. As a real estate investor in addition to being a lawyer, Howard’s advice is both legally astute and pragmatic. He recognizes that most clients have a business concern, not just a legal issue to resolve.

Howard has substantial condemnation law experience, representing both landowners and taking authorities. In addition to his condemnation practice, Howard represents clients in matters involving real estate including foreclosures and receiverships, zoning and land use, landlord/tenant, leasing, lien law, real estate tax protests, real estate transactional law and construction dispute resolution.

In 2017, Howard was invited to become a select member of The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE), in recognition for his problem-solving abilities in areas of real estate counseling. The CRE is an international group of high-profile professionals of prominent real estate, financial, legal and accounting firms who provide expert, objective advice on complex real property situations and land-related matters.