About Ty Harris

Ty Harris received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Florida State University in 1989 and his Master of Science in Planning in 1994. After working for the Florida Legislature as an Analyst with the Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Harris moved to Miami, Florida to pursue his law degree from the University of Miami. In 1998, Mr. Harris was awarded his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami, graduating with honors. Mr. Harris won both the CALI and Dean’s Certificate for being the most outstanding student in the study of Land Use. Mr. Harris also won the Legal Research and Writing Book Award his first year of law school and was the recipient of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Scholarship.

With extensive experience representing both public and private sector clients throughout Florida, Mr. Harris applies his understanding of parties on each side of a land use matter to increase the likelihood of success. On the public side, Mr. Harris has represented local and municipal governments, with a particular emphasis on land use, zoning, environmental and redevelopment matters from planning, and regulatory perspectives. Mr. Harris has also provided support to governmental entities on matters such as public contracting, "sunshine" law, code enforcement, and private property rights. Mr. Harris has served as the Code Board attorney for the City of Edgewater, special outside counsel to the City of Daytona Beach Shores in land use litigation, Assistant County Attorney for Charlotte County, Director of Community Development for Charlotte County, Director of Development Services for the City of Boca Raton, and Planning and Development Services Director for the Village of Islamorada.

In the private sector, Mr. Harris’ representation involves residential, commercial, and institutional landowners, real estate developers, and financial institutions on a variety of issues before federal, state, regional, and local administrative agencies. These include obtaining land use and real estate development approvals, drafting zoning relief ordinances, and negotiating agreements for, and structuring the financing of, improvements needed for development projects and public/private partnerships. Representative clients include Vulcan Materials, Boston Whaler, The Home Depot, Inc., CVS Pharmacy, Walgreen Co., Gorton’s of Gloucester, Miami Corporation, Atlantic Steel, IHOP, Republic Services, Inc., FEC, and Florida Power and Light.

Strategic planning is critical to the handling of your land use issues. Mr. Harris provides a full range of services in this area, from guiding long-term plans to negotiating agreements. Mr. Harris’ knowledge at all levels of government law, real estate law, land use law, and zoning law from both the public as well as the private sector perspectives to offer you thorough and insightful counsel.

MR. HARRIS' SERVICES INCLUDE:

annexation of property
regulatory takings, and inverse condemnation
homeowner’s associations and road maintenance agreements
environmental regulation, sustainable development, and L.E.E.D certification
historic preservation
land use entitlements
public-private ventures and partnerships
servitudes, easements, licenses, and covenants
subdivisions and record platting
tax incentives and credits, including tax increment financing
telecommunication and right-of-way issues
transportation management
urban redevelopment
zoning codes and comprehensive plans

Mr. Harris has working relationships with government officials and staff at local, regional, state, and federal levels that prove crucial to moving land use projects forward. These associations with decision makers often serve as a competitive edge in meeting your land use objectives. Ty provides regional insight and targeted advice for issues relating to Florida land use with a specific focus on the Florida Keys, the South and East-Central Florida region as well as large property owner projects in Miami-Dade County. Mr. Harris participates as a member and leader of multiple industry associations, business organizations to further enhance his services, as well as expand his support network available to you.