CEB Contributor
Jonathan Henry Riker
Counsel at Venable LLP
Jonathan Riker’s practice focuses on land use, planning and zoning regulations, government administrative law, local housing laws, building code enforcement, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. He guides his clients through the land use entitlement process, including developers of multifamily housing, mixed-use, hospitality, and cannabis projects. Mr. Riker frequently conducts land use and environmental due diligence for perspective real estate sellers and purchasers and assists property owners in removing a variety of code violations imposed by local government agencies. He has significant experience in implementation of the State Ellis Act and housing-related issues, including Density Bonus law. Mr. Riker is a recognized local CEQA expert and was one of the first attorneys in Los Angeles to become an Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).
Educational History • Master of Urban and Regional Planning, University of New Orleans, 2002 • J.D., Tulane University Law School, 1998 • BA in Sociology, Columbia University, 1989
Professional Memberships and Activities • Instructor, Environmental Law, UCLA Extension Public Policy Program • Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), U.S. Green Building Council
CEB Region:
SoCal Region
Content by Jonathan Henry Riker
No articles found.
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Revise and Recirculate an EIR
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation, Environmental Impact Report
Revising an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) during land development is explained with strategic insight for navigating the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3), CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387), and local agency guidelines. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Checklist: Items to Review for EIR Revision and Recirculation
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation, Environmental Impact Report
Items to review when revising an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a land development project are addressed in the following checklist to ensure proper adherence to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3), CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387), and local agency guidelines. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Chart: Project Management and Legal Oversight (CEQA)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation
The following chart identifies key project-management tasks and points at which legal oversight is particularly useful under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000 et seq.) and related regulations (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14 §§ 15000 et seq.). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Effectively Consult with Concerned Agencies in Determining the Scope of an EIR
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation
Effectively consult with concerned agencies in determining the scope of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Navigating the Potential Outcomes of an Initial Study
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation, CEQA Review Process
Understand and navigate the potential outcomes of an Initial Study under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Checklist: Requirements for Initial Study
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation, CEQA Review Process
Requirements when conducting an Initial Study for land development projects are discussed with the following checklist to ensure that they properly adhere to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Checklist: Review for Adequacy of Negative Declaration
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation, CEQA Review Process
Refer to the following checklist when reviewing the adequacy of a Negative Declaration (ND) for a land development project to ensure that it properly adheres to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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File and Post a Negative Declaration
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation
Filing and posting a Negative Declaration (ND) is explained with strategic insight for navigating the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Conduct an Initial Study
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation, CEQA Review Process
Conducting an Initial Study during land development is explained with strategic insight for navigating the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3), CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387), and local agency guidelines. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Adopt a Negative Declaration
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation
Adopting a Negative Declaration (ND) is explained with strategic insight for navigating the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Apply for Discretionary Permits (Land Use Entitlements)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Permitting, Entitlements & Project Approval
Requirements for applying for discretionary land use permits are discussed, with steps on how to increase compliance and chances of approval. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Chart: Lobbying Registration Requirements in Major California Jurisdictions (Land Use Due Diligence)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Land Use Regulation, Site Selection, Due Diligence & Planning
Lobbying registration requirements in major California jurisdictions are discussed with insights into registration thresholds and other common requirements. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Chart: Potential Vesting Options (Land Use Entitlements)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Land Use Regulation, Permitting, Entitlements & Project Approval
This chart summarizes various options for real estate developers to obtain “vested rights” to complete construction of a development project pursuant to a local agency’s existing zoning or land use regulations at the time of permitting, regardless of any future changes to these regulations that might otherwise preclude it. Specific examples focus on the City of Los Angeles.
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Sample Findings for Land Use Entitlements
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Permitting, Entitlements & Project Approval
This document provides sample findings for a Zone Change, Site Plan Review, and Conditional Use Permit application in the City of Los Angeles, which will allow the construction of a 76,500-square-foot mixed-use commercial development featuring self-storage and retail uses, as well as two drive-through restaurants. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed below.
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Analyze Agency Databases and Online Sources for Property History (Land Use Due Diligence)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Site Selection, Due Diligence & Planning
Analyzing agency databases and online resources for property history during land use due diligence tasks are explained with a step-by-step guide to ensure and timely progress for development projects. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Watch Out for Q and D Restrictions in Los Angeles (Land Use Due Diligence)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Site Selection, Due Diligence & Planning
Q and D restrictions (as defined in the Los Angeles Municipal Code) in the City of Los Angeles are addressed in terms of their impact on property potential. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Chart: Planning and Land Use Sources (Land Use Due Diligence)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Site Selection, Due Diligence & Planning
Sources of legal authority for land use and planning are detailed in a chart that describes how each source will affect this task while providing guidance on navigating these sources. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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Sample Land Use Due Diligence Memorandum (Mixed-Use Project - Los Angeles)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, Site Selection, Due Diligence & Planning
This sample Land Use Diligence Memo summarizes the redevelopment potential of several parcels of real property owned by an automobile dealership in the City of Los Angeles. We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed below.
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Analyzing the Purpose of the Initial Study (CEQA)
Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources, CEQA & Other Environmental Regulation, CEQA Review Process
Use this guide to analyze and navigate the purpose of the Initial Study under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, §§ 21000–21189.3) and CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15000–15387). We completed legal editing and analysis of authorities cited here as of the date listed above.
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