Andrew Kara is a seasoned real estate attorney with over 22 years of experience in all facets of real estate, including but not limited to acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, condominium creation, planning and zoning matters and real estate tax abatements/appeals. Two (2) of his specific areas of expertise are in zoning and permitting matters in urban environments and real estate tax abatements/appeals. He has represented numerous owners, operators and developers in obtaining planning approval at the Boston Planning & Development Agency and zoning relief at the City of Boston Zoning Board of Appeal or Boston Zoning Commission. He has also represented taxpayers of all types in obtaining real estate tax relief at both the local level with Boards of Assessors and the state level at the Appellate Tax Board (“ATB”) through both trials and mediations.
Representative Experience
ZONING AND PERMITTING
- Represented developer in obtaining planning approval and zoning relief for a 48 unit apartment building in Boston.
- Represented developer in obtaining planning approval and zoning relief for a 44 unit apartment building in Boston in an existing Planned Development Area and Urban Renewal Area subject to an existing Development Plan and Land Disposition Agreement.
- Represented major publicly traded financial institution in obtaining zoning relief for multiple new branch openings in Boston.
- Represented developer in obtaining planning approval and zoning relief for a 115 unit apartment building in Boston.
- Represented developer in obtaining zoning relief for a 28 unit apartment building in Boston.
- Represented developer in obtaining zoning relief for a 127 room hotel redevelopment project in Boston.
- Represented developer in obtaining planning approval and zoning relief for a 50,000sf expansion of an existing self-storage facility in Boston.
- Represented multiple owners in obtaining zoning relief for pre-existing non-conforming uses in Boston.
- Represented owner in obtaining zoning relief for a luxury residential condominium project in Boston.
- Represented owner in legalizing pre-existing non-conforming parking spaces in an existing parking garage through the Boston Air Pollution Control Commission.
- Represented owner in obtaining planning approvals and zoning relief for large-mixed use development project in Boston on parcels of land owned by the City of Boston.
- Advised a to be created non-profit entity for the development of a future innovation center within the City of Cambridge.
- Advised multiple property owners in the City of Somerville with respect new Zoning Ordinance and its impact on future development projects.
- Advised educational institution on redevelopment of new dormitory with respect to planning and zoning maters in Boston.
- Advised property owner on proposed 800 unit apartment project in Boston.
REAL ESTATE TAX
- Represented taxpayer in obtaining tax relief under MGL c. 40V through a Tax Increment Exemption Agreement in Lynn,
- Represented taxpayer in obtaining tax relief under MGL c. 121A through a so called 6A Contract in Boston.
- Represented regional property owner in a successful trial at the ATB.
- Represented major hospital organization in successful mediation at the ATB.
- Represented several hundred property owners in successfully obtaining tax relief with local Boards of Assessors.
Recognition and Awards
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law, 2019-2025
- Named, Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Real Estate, 2022-2024
Professional and Community Involvement
- Board Member, Commonwealth Cooperative Bank
- Commissioner, Dedham Westwood Water District (Former)
- Member, Boston Bar Association, Real Estate Section
- Member, National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP)
- Former Member, NAIOP Programs Committee
- Pro Bono Counsel, St. John’s Seminary
- MGH Cancer Center Friends Committee