Director With Fennemore Wendel
CurrentAmara advises private sector clients on all aspects of land use entitlement process (i.e., Planning and Zoning law, CEQA compliance, Subdivision Map Act, compliance with state and local land use regulations, density bonus law, SB 35, SB 330 and Housing Accountability project processing, initiative and referendum). Amara has extensive experience obtaining land use entitlements for a variety of land use projects including mixed use, residential, commercial industrial and hotel uses. She has a breadth and depth of experience in all aspects of land use work including compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the Permit Streamlining Act, Planning and Zoning Law, and the Subdivision Map Act. Her work has involved negotiation with state and federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Delta Protection Commission. Amara has 26 years of experience serving public sector clients, including special districts, with regard to land use, zoning, development and redevelopment, environmental law, and resource protection and conservation. Prior to private practice, she was an assistant city attorney and advised elected and appointed officials and staff on all aspects of municipal law including the California Public Records Act, the Ralph M. Brown Act, public finance and contracts law, solid waste, risk management and conflicts of interest, First Amendment and redevelopment law. She has been lead counsel on the development, implementation and defense of general plans, specific plans and various neighborhood plans and development project approvals based thereon.
