You know the land. We know the law.
Susan J. Smith practices in the areas of land use, zoning, land development, environmental and public utility law.
With over 25 years experience in representing private and public clients in Pennsylvania, the Law Office of Susan J. Smith evaluates each client’s project in both the legal and political context.
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Susan J. Smith practices in the areas of land use, zoning, land development, environmental and public utility law.
Our office is pleased to assist you with:
Strategy and planning related to a development plan
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Obtaining zoning, land development and subdivision approvals
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Taking or defending against a zoning or SALD appeal
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Amending or challenging a local ordinance
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Expanding or changing a non-conforming use
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Audits of property holdings or ordinances
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Resolving disputes over property boundaries, easements, and use limitations in covenants
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Managing the permits and approvals process
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Obtaining planning module approvals and resolving Act 537 matters
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Securing NPDES and E&S approval
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Negotiating HOPs with PennDOT
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Securing utility services
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Dealing with environmentally-contaminated property
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Defending against a DEP permit violation or denial
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Other services
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Other services
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Our Mission
It is a core value of The Law Office of Susan J. Smith, LLP to be integrally involved in our local community and with organizations that further the practice of law.
Striving to best serve the needs of our clients, we are involved with several organizations addressing current issues in land use and development, municipal governance, and environmental matters.
Our mission is to provide exceptional client service while inspiring philanthropy inside and outside of the firm.
Organizations We Support
American Heart Association
Camp Hill Elementary Schools (Law Day)
Camp Hill Soccer Club
Central Pennsylvania Association of Female Executives
Cub Scouts Pack 51 (Camp Hill)
Cumberland County Bar Association
Dauphin County Bar Association
Harrisburg Builders Association (Local Government Committee)
James S. Bowman Inn of Court
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Pennsylvania Planning Association (Legislative Committee)
Society of Women Environmental Professionals, Capital Chapter
West Shore Chamber of Commerce (Transportation and Economic Development Committees)
YMCA
Pennsylvania Township Solicitors Association
Pennsylvania Borough Solicitors Association
Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce (Government Relations and Transportation Committees)
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs
About
The Law Office of
Susan J. Smith
Susan J. Smith brings to the table more than 20 years of advising and representing private and municipal clients in land use, municipal, environmental and public utility matters before municipalities and municipal authorities, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections, the courts of the Commonwealth and the federal courts.
She has served as a solicitor and special land use counsel to municipalities throughout central and northern Pennsylvania.
Susan is a frequent presenter and author of published materials related to land use and land use regulation in Pennsylvania.
She regularly teaches seminars on zoning, subdivision and land development, and other land use issues to municipal officers, attorneys, municipal and professional planners, engineers and others.
More than 25 years of advising and representing private and municipal clients
Counsel to private landowners and developers of residential, commercial and industrial property
Counsel to non-profit economic development organizations
Counsel to age restricted community seeking variances and special exception approvals
Counsel to citizens group opposing 47 turbine wind farm located in Natural Resource Protection zone
Special land use counsel to municipalities considering zoning and building permit approvals to group home
Counsel to municipal authority appealing rescission of Water Allocation Permit before the Environmental Hearing Board
Solicitor to Borough providing general legal advice on Borough matters, employment issues, and land acquisition matters
About Susan Smith
Susan J. Smith brings to the table more than 20 years of advising and representing private and municipal clients in land use, municipal, environmental and public utility matters before municipalities and municipal authorities, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections, the courts of the Commonwealth and the federal courts.
She has served as a solicitor and special land use counsel to municipalities throughout central and northern Pennsylvania.
Susan is a frequent presenter and author of published materials related to land use and land use regulation in Pennsylvania.
She regularly teaches seminars on zoning, subdivision and land development, and other land use issues to municipal officers, attorneys, municipal and professional planners, engineers and others.
Ms. Smith presents at and serves on the Planning Committee for the semi-annual Land Use Institute , the preeminent seminar on Pennsylvania land use law. She has served as an adjunct professor of land use law at Temple University.
Susan’s extensive experience in land use law is bolstered by her unique background as a certified planner. Prior to entering the law, Ms. Smith served as the zoning administrator for the city of Charleston, South Carolina. She has also served as the head of the Comprehensive Planning Division for Orange County, North Carolina, and remains active in the Pennsylvania Planning Association, and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Susan is a member of:
- Dauphin County and Cumberland County Bar Associations
- Pennsylvania Township Solicitors Association
- Borough Solicitors Association.
- Harrisburg Builders Association (Local Government Committee)
- Pennsylvania Planning Association (Legislative Committee)
- West Shore Chamber of Commerce (Transportation and Economic Development Committees)
- Central Pennsylvania Association of Female Executives.
Susan also volunteers at Law Day presented by the Camp Hill Elementary Schools, the Camp Hill Soccer Club, and Cub Scouts Pack 51 (Camp Hill).
Education
- J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law
- B.A., summa cum laude , from Dickenson College.
- Diploma in Urban Design and Regional Planning from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Master’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Akron.
- Served as a law clerk to the Honorable Genevieve Blatt of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.