Joseph R. Tarby III
Partner
- (781) 897-4980 (Woburn)
- (781) 933-1530 (Fax)
Joseph Tarby is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate practice group. He represents clients in the areas of zoning law, land use law, real estate law and liquor license law. He represents many national, regional and local property and shopping center developers, retailers and restaurants on leasing, zoning, land use and liquor license matters. Joseph also represents lenders and borrowers in commercial real estate and asset-based financing.
Joseph has decades of experience representing national, regional and local property and shopping center developers, retailers and restaurants. Additionally, he advises lenders and borrowers in commercial real estate and asset-based financing.
Joseph is active in many community organizations, including serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Winchester Hospital, being a member of the Beth Israel/Lahey Health System (BILH). He is the Chair of the hospital’s Quality Patient Experience and Care Assessment Committee which focuses on patient safety, procedures, quality metrics and physician credentialing. He is the Past President of the Woburn Chamber of Commerce and a current Board Member.
Representative Experience
- Represented major restaurant chain in connection with a $55 million dollar sale/leaseback transaction involving 30 restaurant properties with GE Capital and U.S. Realty Advisors LLC.
- Represented major restaurant chain in connection with a $160 million dollar sale of restaurant business and the transfer of multi-state liquor licenses.`
- Represented major shopping center developer in obtaining zoning approvals to expand shopping mall.
- Represent(ed) numerous restaurants on liquor license applications and violations throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and before the Commonwealth Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
- Representation of hospital client in connection with obtaining land use approvals for a Regional Cancer Care Center and Surgical Center.
- Representation of major healthcare system in obtaining land use permits for a COVID-19 testing facility.
- Representation of national movie theater chain for over thirty (30) years on land use permitting, liquor license applications, general real estate work and litigation.
- Representation of client in obtaining land use permits for mixed-use project including a major hotel chain and three restaurants.
- Representation of client in connection with obtaining approval of Zoning Overlay District allowing for over one million square feet of mixed use residential, senior housing, affordable housing, medical facility, Life Science and GMP Manufacturing uses.
- Representation of client in connection with obtaining land use permits for 115 townhomes, including 12 affordable housing units.
- Representation of client in obtaining land use permits for multi-story 41 unit apartment building in downtown Woburn, Massachusetts.
- Representation of client in obtaining land use permits for mixed use of residential and retail in former Commonwealth of Massachusetts Armory building.
- Representation of several auto dealerships in connection with obtaining land use permits for expansion of dealership facility and satellite parking.
- Representation of national senior housing developer in obtaining land use permits for an independent living, assisted living and memory care facility.
- Representation of national casino operator on potential development of casino in Massachusetts.
- Representation of major health care system in obtaining land use permits for a medical office building providing ambulatory care services.
- Representation of local developer in connection with obtaining land use permits for the conversion of a church to a residential development and the conversion of a historical building to a 55 year and older multi-residential building.
- Representation of regional developer in connection with a 200 unit 40B development.
- Representation of major regional developer in connection with approval of an Overlay District to allow for Life Science and GMP Manufacturing uses.
- Representation of two national drugstore chains in obtaining land use permits for drug stores with a drive thru pharmacy
- Representation of national developer in obtaining land use permits for a 425 unit residential community.
- Representation of client in connection with a proposed 40R residential development near Woburn Center.
- Representation of national solar company in connection with a proposed zoning amendment to allow for solar installations.
- Representation of pharmaceutical company in obtaining land use permits to allow for drug manufacturing.
- General Counsel to the Woburn Redevelopment Authority for more than twenty (20) years.
- General Counsel to the Woburn Golf and Ski Authority for more than twenty-five (25) years.
- Drafted numerous zoning amendments and Overlay Districts that were incorporated into Zoning By-Law.
- Worked with City of Woburn Officials on numerous revisions to Zoning Ordinance.
Recognition and Awards
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law, 2022-2025
- Named, Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Real Estate, 2022-2024
- Selected, Massachusetts Super Lawyers List, 2004-2012
Professional and Community Involvement
- Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees, Winchester Hospital, a member of the Beth Israel/Lahey Health System (BILH)
- Board of Directors, Common Trust Credit Union
- Board Member Emeritus, Woburn Chamber of Commerce (Past President)
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
- President, Winning Home, Inc.
- Member, Massachusetts Restaurant Association
- Member, Massachusetts Conveyancers Association
- Member, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
- Member, Middlesex 3 Coalition
- Past President, Woburn Rotary Club
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Quoted, “sonar Drive expansion request is under review,” Daily Times Chronicle (January 6, 2025)
- Quoted, “Beacon Hill market to get just third family owning since it opened more than a century ago,” Universal Hub (November 14, 2024)
- Quoted, “New Boston St. bridge work faces zoning issues,” Daily Times Chronicle (September 4, 2024)
- Quoted, “West Side resident to open sports medicine spa at Horn Pond Plaza,” Daily Times Chronicle (April 2, 2024)
- Quoted, “Conn Street printing firm preparing drainage analysis for expansion project,” Daily Times Chronicle (April 2, 2024)
- Quoted, “Ninth package store license is granted,” Daily Times Chronicle (February 23, 2024)
- Quoted, “Tandoor and Curry eyes N. Woburn location,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (February 12, 2024)
- Quoted, “Starbucks eyes new Washington Street location in East Woburn,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (January 24, 2024)
- Quoted, “Chick-fil-A traffic review draws mixed opinions,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (December 15, 2023)
- Quoted, “Off New Boston Street in Woburn: Developer asks feds to approve 250-unit plan,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (November 11, 2023)
- Quoted, “Council on verge of approving Winn Street redevelopment,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (October 18, 2023)
- Quoted, “Wilmington side of New Boston St.: Life science project on hold in North Woburn,” Wilmington Town Crier, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (June 27, 2023)
- Quoted, “Boston developer given more time on housing complex at Anderson Station,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (June 26, 2023)
- Mentioned, “Council agrees to rezone Lake Avenue area to two-family,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (June 2, 2023)
- Speaker, “City of Woburn Open House: Welcome to The Coalition,” Middlesex 3 Coalition (May 18, 2023)
- Mentioned, “Site of 289-unit housing complex off of Commerce Way: Solar carport proposed for top of Emblem 120 parking deck,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (April 12, 2023)
- Mentioned, “Council expects to revisit N. Woburn life sciences park plans in April,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (March 2, 2023)
- Mentioned, “Mayor again interested in potential 40R redevelopment off Federal Street,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (Jan 18, 2023)
- Mentioned, “At Target shopping plaza off I-93: Liv’s Juice and Acai Bar coming to Commerce Way storefront,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (Jan 14, 2023)
- Mentioned, “Determined Boston developer forges ahead with Woburn life sciences project,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (Jan 13, 2023)
- Mentioned, “License Commission: Dog House, Tudo Na Brasa hearings set to continue in `23,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (Dec 30, 2022 )
- Mentioned, “Lawless officials to reconfigure lot in light of car delivery safety concerns,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (Dec 8, 2022)
- Mentioned, “Pair of commercial caterers moving to Olympia Avenue warehouse,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (Nov 15, 2022)
- Mentioned, “Council okays Showcase Cinema sign,” Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn Daily Times, Inc. (November 3, 2022)
- Quoted, “Food industry businesses eye Olympia Avenue warehouse space,” Daily Times Chronicle (October 27, 2022)
- Mentioned, “Council okays muscular therapy services at downtown beauty salon,” Daily Times Chronicle (October 14, 2022)
- Mentioned, “Charcuterie board caterer moving to S. End shopping plaza,” Daily Times Chronicle (October 13, 2022)
- Quoted, “Blues for Veterans to host 10th annual music festival at Library Park,” Daily Times Chronicle (September 11, 2022)
- Mentioned, “Planners to discuss LBOD proposal on Aug. 23,” Daily Times Chronicle (August 15, 2022)
- Quoted, “Vale adding retaining wall at Montvale site,” Daily Times Chronicle (July 15, 2022)
- Speaker, “What's Going On Around the M3 Region?,” Middlesex 3 Coalition and the Woburn Chamber of Commerce (June 22, 2022)
- Quoted, “WUBurger to undergo change in ownership,” Daily Times Chronicle (February 20, 2022)
- Quoted, “Council jettisons landscaping firm’s storage yard expansion request,” Daily Times Chronicle (February 3, 2022)
- Quoted, “Life-sciences developer looks to pause Showcase Cinemas rezoning pitch,” Daily Times Chronicle (December 21, 2021)
- Quoted, “Council okays new drug-making plant off Cabot Road,” Daily Times Chronicle (December 15, 2021)
- Quoted, “The Davis Companies Eyes Life Sciences Campus in Woburn: Report,” Boston Real Estate Times (November 23, 2021)
- Quoted, “Boston developer eyes life sciences campus at Showcase Cinema site,” Daily Times Chronicle (November 22, 2021)
- Quoted, “Council okays pool area changes for Winning Farm townhouse development,” Daily Times Chronicle (November 17, 2021)
- Mentioned, “Local drug-maker’s expansion plan back before planners,” Daily Times Chronicle (September 14, 2021)
- Mentioned, “The changing restaurant scene in Woburn has changed once again,” Daily Times Chronicle (April 27, 2021)