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GIG HARBOR LAND USE
& PROPERTY LAW

The Law Offices of Cynthia Anne Kennedy, PLLC provides comprehensive land use and real property legal services, with big city law firm experience at affordable rates. We can help you resolve your land use issues.

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SERVING THE PUGET SOUND AREA

  • Zoning

  • Easements

  • CC&Rs

  • Neighbor Disputes

  • Conditional Uses

  • Variances

  • Rezones

  • Project Permits

  • Shoreline Permits

  • Permit Appeals

  • Land Use Litigation

  • Critical Areas Reviews

  • Environmental Reviews

MEET CYNTHIA

The Law Offices of Cynthia Anne Kennedy, PLLC is a boutique land use and real property law firm founded by Cynthia Anne Kennedy.  Cynthia Kennedy is a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience as a partner at Seattle’s largest and most established law firms.  Based in Gig Harbor and serving western Washington, the Law Offices of Cynthia Anne Kennedy, PLLC provides comprehensive legal services to public and private sector clients.
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  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1997

  • M.A. of Environmental and Resource Policy, George Washington University, 1994

  • M.A. of International Affairs, George Washington University, 1992

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About
Services

COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES

Property Rights and Neighbor Disputes

(Boundary Lines, Encroachments, Views, etc.) 

Environmental Reviews (SEPA/NEPA)

Zoning Issues and Rezones (Area-Wide, Site-Specific, and Contract

Land Use Permits and Development Entitlements

Land Use Appeals (LUPA) and Real Property Litigation

Easements and other Real Property Agreements

Steep Slope, Wetland, Shoreline and other Critical Areas Reviews

Natural Resource Issues and Damages

Conditional Uses & Variances

Rights-of-Way, Driveways, Utilities, and other Real Property Access Issues

Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions

(CC&Rs)

Due Diligence and for Real Property Purchase and Sales

Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulation Amendments

EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST

EASEMENTS, CC&Rs & NEIGHBOR DISPUTES

  • Won Land Use Petition Act Appeal (LUPA) to enforce CC&R density restrictions for the West Slope Neighborhood Coalition in Tacoma.

  • Enforced CC&R height restrictions to protect views for Pierce County residents.

  • Enforced access easements for Pierce County residents.

  • Terminated invalid easements for Pierce County residents.

Projects
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ZONING & LAND USE
PERMITS

  • Obtained site-specific rezone for property in the City of Lakewood to permit the development of multi-family development.

  • Obtained Comprehensive Plan Amendment and area-wide rezone for property in Pierce County to permit mixed residential and commercial development.

  • Obtained land use and shoreline permits for expansion of marina facilities in the City of Tacoma.

  • Obtained land use permits for expansion of commercial development in the City of Edgewood.

  • Obtained conditional use permit for commercial development in the City of Ellensburg.

LAND USE APPEALS
& LITIGATION

  • Won Growth Management Act (GMA) Appeal that allowed for the development of Airport facilities in the City of Anacortes. 

  • Won Declaratory Judgements Act (DJA) case in Pierce County Superior Court to terminate illegal easement for Pierce County residents.

  • Won Land Use Petition Act (LUPA) Appeal to enforce covenants for homeowners group in the City of Tacoma.

  • Won Court of Appeals case to enforce property rights for Pierce County residents.

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ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
& REVIEW

  • Developed state Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Policies and Regulations for the Port of Anacortes.

  • Helped update Critical Areas and Shoreline Regulations for the City of Bellingham.

  • Negotiated Agreement with WSDOT to allow for underpass under SR106 for residential development in Mason County.

  • Conducted land sue and environmental due diligence for developments in Snohomish, King, Pierce and Thurston Counties, and municipal jurisdictions across Washington State.

SHORELINE & CRITICAL AREAS PERMITS

  • Helped to obtain Local, State and Federal Permits for new Port facilities in the City of Anacortes.

  • Helped with Master Planning for Marina facilities in Pierce County.

  • Obtained Local, State and Federal Permits to allow for the siting of Marina Facilities in PIerce County.

  • Helped to obtain Local, State and Federal Permits for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Pierce County.

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RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions

Ms. Kennedy has been recognized five times by Washington Law & Politics as a Rising Star.

WASHINGTON RISING STAR

Ms. Kennedy has been certified as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED®–AP) by the Green Building Certification Institute. As a LEED®–AP, Ms. Kennedy has demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and sustainable development principles, as well as the LEED Rating System.

LEED ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL

Ms. Kennedy has presented at numerous legal conferences and events about shoreline issues, land use, permitting and entitlements.

PRESENTER
Testimonials

As the Chairman of a local neighborhood group, I was directly involved in important land use actions when we retained Cynthia Kennedy to assist us over a period of 4 years. Not only was she a consummate professional with regards to her knowledge of the law and her skills in the courtroom, she was always available and responsive to our questions and an absolute delight to work with.

She remains, to this day, our go-to person for any questions on land use issues.

— Dean Wilson, Tacoma, WA

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Connect now to find out how we can resolve your land use issues or click here to read our Frequently Asked Questions!

Thanks for reaching out! 

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But, please be aware, submitting an inquiry does not establish an attorney-client relationship.   

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