Melissa Lindelow

Shupe Ventura, PLLC
9406 Biscayne Blvd
Dallas, TX 75218
(817) 405-9937
melissa.lindelow@svlandlaw.com

Melissa brings unique experience as both a city planner and land use attorney. Prior to practicing law, Melissa held a variety of planning positions with the City of Dallas, including senior planner and chief planner. As a city planner, Melissa gained significant experience related to plan review and building permits, drafting and applying zoning ordinances, including planned development (PD) ordinances, and working on Board of Adjustment matters involving variances, special exceptions, appeals, and the amortization/termination of nonconforming uses.

Since transitioning to the private sector, Melissa has been involved in projects throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including numerous multi-jurisdictional projects involving zoning, annexation, and the creation PIDs, TIFs, or special taxing districts to fund development costs. Melissa routinely works on matters involving zoning, subdivision and platting, economic development incentives, annexation, and vested rights, and she has extensive experience negotiating and drafting development agreements and zoning regulations. Her practice also includes assisting clients with due diligence and permit issues.

Areas of Emphasis

Zoning (e.g., zoning changes, PD ordinances, and due diligence)
Board of Adjustment (e.g., variances and appeals)
Subdivision and platting
Permitting (e.g., building permits, sign permits, and other municipal development-related permits)
Economic development incentives, including public improvement districts (PIDs), tax increment financing (TIFs), tax abatement agreements, 380 agreements, and special districts like municipal utility districts (MUDs)
Infrastructure/facility agreements
CCN issues related to water and sewer service
Impact fees and pro rata fees
Development agreements and pre-annexation agreements
Annexation
Boundary adjustments and disputes
Vested rights
Takings and illegal exactions/proportionality issues
Municipal drilling regulations
Billboard and other sign regulations
Dedication of right-of-way and easements to cities and other governmental entities

Speaking Engagements

“Preemption and Local Regulation,” 2014 Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Production, State Bar of Texas, San Antonio, January 31, 2014
“Managing Land Use in the ETJ,” 2012 Annual Conference of the American Planning Association - Texas Chapter, Fort Worth, Texas, October 5, 2012
“Oil and Gas Production: Local Regulations and Controls,” 2012 3rd Law of Shale Plays Conference, The Center for American and International Law, Fort Worth, Texas
“Regulation of Oil and Gas Land Uses in Texas and the Impact on Development,” 2012 University of Texas Annual Land Use Law Conference
“Oil and Gas Production: Local Regulation and Controls,” 2012 Environmental Impacts of Oil & Gas Production, TexasBar CLE, Houston
“Regulation of Adult Businesses,” 2011University of Texas Annual Land Use Law Conference
“Legislative and Case Law Update: Implications on Land Development” – 81st Legislature – Houston and Dallas Presentations, August 19 & 20, 2009
“Vested Rights in Texas - the Developer's Perspective” Presentation, Halff Associates, June 10, 2009
“Legislative Update,” 79th Legislature – Dallas and Fort Worth Presentations, 2005
“Municipal Powers to Regulate Pumping for Groundwater and Drilling for Oil and Gas,” 2008 University of Texas Annual Water Law Conference

Bar Admissions

State Bar of Texas

Education

J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law

Summa cum laude
Valedictorian
Associate Editor, Texas Tech Law Review
Order of the Coif

Master of City and Regional Planning, University of Texas at Arlington