Jeffrey T. Harlan

Jeffrey Harlan focuses his land use and zoning practice on sustainable development, environmental design, public policy, and strategic planning. Mr. Harlan brings a unique perspective to challenging land use and regulatory problems in California, shaped by his experience as a locally elected official, planning director for a state land conservancy, and a private planning consultant. He draws on his diverse background to counsel real estate developers and property owners on all aspects of development, from due diligence and entitlement processing to community engagement and litigation strategies. Mr. Harlan has secured approvals for a variety of projects, including multifamily housing, mixed-use, and industrial storage.

Elected in 2020, Mr. Harlan served as a City Councilmember and the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Costa Mesa. Currently, he leads the city’s Planning Commission as Chairman, and has spent six years evaluating various development applications, zoning code updates, and public policy proposals. Mr. Harlan began his public service over 25 years ago as the deputy for District and Environmental Policy to Los Angeles City Councilmember Ruth Galanter, where he focused on local planning issues, citywide sustainable development and smart growth initiatives, and legislation.

As the Planning Director for the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, Mr. Harlan developed planning and implementing strategies to administer $40 million in bond funding for the creation of a 1,400-acre park in Los Angeles. He gained considerable experience working at various private planning consultancies on a range of projects across the country, including leading and managing city general plan updates, habitat restoration plans, mitigation and conservation bank assessments, and strategic planning of land portfolios.

Mr. Harlan has secured approvals for a variety of projects, including housing, mixed-use, and industrial storage. Please see below for a list of representative matters.

• Secured entitlements for a new 200-unit luxury apartment complex (replacing an outdated 236-unit motel) in Costa Mesa, which includes the provision of nine units of affordable housing and relocation assistance for long-term occupants. Defended against lawsuits by the tenant advocacy organization and adjacent property owner, and negotiated settlement agreements with both parties.
• Defended three lawsuits by a community organization against the developer of a 28-unit artist work/live project (including nine designated affordable units) in Laguna Beach, which resulted in upholding approvals by the California Coastal Commission and City of Laguna Beach. Prepared strategy to contest opponents’ appeal (which was denied) and obtained unanimous project approval by the Commission. Successfully argued before the City Council and Planning Commission to sustain the effective date of permits and prevent expiration.
• Successfully appealed decision to Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission and received a reasonable accommodation for a client with three, disabled adult children to construct a single-family residence in unincorporated area of Santa Monica Mountains.
• Resolved litigation and negotiated settlement, including sale of property and approval of a lot line adjustment, between Beverly Hills property owners for unlawful encroachments and unpermitted construction on alleged prescriptive easement area.
• Conducted land use due diligence for: infrastructure and facilities to support rollout of autonomous vehicle fleets in cities across the country; redevelopment of underperforming hotels/motels as multifamily housing in various states; and acquisition of several funeral homes and mortuaries in Los Angeles region by national memorial/cemetery corporation.
• Negotiated a settlement with the City of Pomona on behalf of a property owner who challenged the unauthorized use of an easement for the provision of wireless communication facilities.
• Defended a code compliance action by the City of West Hollywood for alleged violation of the city’s Short-Term Rental regulations, resulting in a settlement that significantly reduced the highest-ever fine issued by the city.
• Processed one of the first Accessory Dwelling Unit applications in the City of Los Angeles.
• Led the strategic long-term planning and supported the legal analysis for the redevelopment of a 185-acre brownfield in New Jersey. Advised legal counsel about long-term site stewardship and public access risk management strategies for the site, including the 50-acre wetland restoration area.
• Assessed ecosystem marketplace opportunities, analyzed development potential, and developed conceptual visions and site designs for a suite of former energy operation sites on California’s Central Coast.
• Managed and/or prepared land planning analyses for the General Plan Updates for the cities of Clovis, Ontario, and San Clemente.
• Managed the City of Irvine Climate Action Plan/Sustainable Operations Strategic Plan, the first municipal effort in Orange County to address climate change impacts on the community and municipal operations.
• Led the consultant team for the City of Los Angeles Sustainable Building Initiative, a 5-year action plan to promote sustainable design practices in $1 billion in City-funded capital improvement projects.

Practice Areas

Community & Professional

• City of Costa Mesa, City Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem, and Planning Commissioner
• Baldwin Hills Conservancy, Planning Director
• Los Angeles City Council, Councilmember Ruth Galanter, Deputy for District and Environmental Policy
• City of Los Angeles, Environmental Protection Section, Volunteer Deputy City Attorney
• Costa Mesa Community Foundation, Board Co-Chair
• Newport Harbor High School, Mentor