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Press Release
Land
Use Publications Co. (Loveland, Colorado) announces the availability of Land Use Controls and Property Rights: A
Guide for Real Estate Professionals, a new national-in-scope handbook for real estate practitioners and property owners.
The purposes of this 288 page 8.5"x11" book are to (1) increase land use literacy, (2) increase the users'
bottom line, (3) solve common land use problems, and (4) reduce liability and misunderstandings.
Written
by John P. Lewis, a veteran real estate broker and planner, this guide demystifies the major restrictions ranging from
annexation to covenants to zoning. In addition, the guide explores the fundamental private property rights ranging from
enjoyment to transfer. It also details how appraisers, surveyors, title insurers, and lenders can help property owners
and real estate professionals with their land use problems. Lastly, it described innovative development techniques such
as planned unit developments and mixed-use projects.
Profusely illustrated with over
250 photographs, cartoons, practice pointers, and excerpts from public documents, this handbook contains numerous examples
of clauses from actual contracts as gleaned from various American real estate associations and commissions.
Since every property owner is in the rights business and every real estate transaction involves land use
issues, this book is for you.
 Author Bio
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, John P. Lewis served as an Intelligence Specialist
in the U.S. Army. After his discharge, Mr. Lewis obtained a Master's Degree in Librarianship from Western
Michigan University and a Master's Degree in Educational Technology from Arizona State University. During
his career as an academic librarian and instructor, Mr. Lewis worked for Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), Greenfield
Community College (Greenfield, MA), Eastern New Mexico University (Portales, NM), and Front Range Community College (Ft. Collins,
CO).
Mr. Lewis changed direction in 1991 and started to pursue his passion for real estate.
After obtaining his Associate Broker's license, he worked for a large company helping buyers and sellers. In
1995, he obtained his Employing Broker's license and started a retail brokerage with a partner. While acting
as managing broker, he also served as a City of Loveland Planning Commissioner, Board of Adjustment Hearings Officer, and
Affordable Housing Commissioner. Currently, he is a member of the City of Loveland Open Lands Advisory Committee
and the Zoning Code Working Group.
Since 1993, Mr. Lewis has participated in numerous seminars, conferences,
and workshops dealing with housing, land use, real estate development, brownfields, political affairs, and citizen planning.
Possessing the GRI designation and e-Pro certification, Mr. Lewis serves on the Political Affairs Committee of
the Loveland/Berthoud Association of REALTORS® and is member of the National Association of REALTORS® and the American
Planning Association.
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PRESS RELEASE FOR PRINTING
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PCJ Articles October 26, 2007Not For
Realtors Only by Wayne SenvilleJust had a chance to read through
a book by John Lewis, Land Use Controls and
Property Rights: A Guide for Real Estate Professionals. Lewis is a former Loveland, Colorado, planning commissioner and zoning hearing officer who understands the
nature of subdivision ordinances, development proposals, and comprehensive plans. And as a real estate professional, he also
recognizes how these complex -- and sometimes confusing -- concepts affect potential home buyers and property owners.
As the title suggests, this book is not specifically intended for planners or planning commissioners. However, most of the
chapters thoughtfully cover issues that are at least indirectly related to the work of commissioners and zoning board members. Lewis delivers information in a well-written and easy-to-read format that includes
"Practice Pointers" within each section to reinforce the material. More often than not, he offers suggestions for
planning professionals as well as citizen board members in these sidebars, which put a practical spin on sometimes abstract
concepts. For example, one chapter concentrates on regulating
uses in residential districts (such as family definition or home-based businesses) -- guiding real estate professionals
in the necessity of understanding their city ordinances and accurately informing potential buyers of any restrictions. It
is essential that citizen planners understand the practical ramifications of such ordinances when rewriting codes or comprehensive
plans. Lewis' publication warrants a broader audience
than just real estate professionals. In fact, his book may be of especial interest to both citizen and professional planners
since it covers many of the practical land use issues realtors find of particular significance -- topics often not covered
in much detail in books written by planners (such as chapters on: title insurance; land surveys; the role of appraisers from
a land use perspective; and on private land use controls, i.e., CC&Rs and homeowner associations).
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