Christopher Schaut

Christopher P. Schaut

Land Use Analyst

Christopher P. Schaut

Land Use Analyst

  • Overview

    Biography

    Christopher Schaut is a land use analyst with three years of experience in the land use field. He is nationally accredited as a professional planner from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). 

    Research and Analysis

    As a member of Robinson+Cole’s Real Estate + Development Group, Christopher prepares analyses of municipal zoning ordinances and permitting processes for a multitude of land use proposals around the country. He assists clients with background and due diligence research and analysis on specific sites to determine applicable land use regulations and permitting processes for various development and redevelopment projects, regularly working with local planning and zoning staff.

    Prior to joining Robinson+Cole, Christopher worked in a variety of roles in the public and private sectors, most recently as an assistant city planner with the City of Bristol, Connecticut. He also has extensive research and analysis experience gained from working as a research manager tracking the Manhattan office leasing market for a commercial real estate services firm.

  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Recreational Marijuana in the Land of Steady Habits: How Towns in Connecticut are Zoning for Recreational Cannabis Use," co-authored with Ryan D. Hoyler and Evan J. Seeman, published in Connecticut Planning, a quarterly magazine issued by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA) (June 2023)
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        • Recreational Marijuana in the Land of Steady Habits: How Towns in Connecticut are Zoning for Recreational Cannabis Use

        "Recreational Marijuana in the Land of Steady Habits: How Towns in Connecticut are Zoning for Recreational Cannabis Use," co-authored by Christopher P. Schaut, Ryan D. Hoyler and Evan J. Seeman, published in Connecticut Planning, a quarterly magazine issued by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA) (June 2023)

        The legislation that legalized cannabis use in Connecticut “…also empowered the state’s municipalities to regulate adult recreational cannabis establishments through local zoning codes or ordinances.” The authors surveyed the state’s 169 municipalities to identify regulatory trends and varying approaches taken by communities across the state. There are at least 90 municipalities that permit some form of cannabis establishments, with 72 of them having enacted their own regulations. Evan, Ryan and Chris examine and report how municipalities are dealing with related issues including where establishments are allowed, permitting and procedural considerations, distance separation requirements, security and odor issues, and visibility of products. Evan serves as CCAPA’s Program Committee Chair and is a member of the Executive Board.

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    • News

      R+C in the News

      • July 12, 2023

        Robinson+Cole Represents WinnDevelopment in $85 Million Dollar Affordable Housing Project

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          Robinson+Cole Represents WinnDevelopment in $85 Million Dollar Affordable Housing Project

          On July 10, 2023, Robinson+Cole client, WinnDevelopment, broke ground on an $85 million project to transform a nationally recognized historic structure, the old Landers, Frary and Clark manufacturing complex in New Britain, CT, into a 154-unit apartment community for affordable housing and workforce households. 

          A cross-disciplinary team of R+C lawyers and professionals helped Winn navigate the acquisition, tax credit syndication, debt financing and environmental issues that accompany the redevelopment of a historic factory building. The team included Michele Maresca as lead attorney with support from Deirdre Robinson, Emilee Mooney Scott, Bomopregha Julius, Austin Provost, Madeleine Laffitte, Christopher Schaut and Vee Kaur.

          When Deirdre joined R+C in 2021, she brought with her, her long-time client, WinnCompanies, an award-winning national developer and manager of affordable, mixed-income and market rate apartment communities with a strong history of leveraging Federal and State tax credits to enable redevelopment of otherwise challenged properties. 

          This adaptive reuse project will convert four buildings into 79 one-bedroom, 59 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom apartments geared toward young professionals, middle-income households and fixed-income seniors. The historic exterior of the brick buildings will be preserved, while the interior space is adapted into apartments for households earning 30, 50, 60 and 80 percent of Area Median Income

          Financing for this project includes numerous sources of debt and equity, including federal LIHTC equity and, with the help of Eversource, State historic tax credit equity. Bank of America provided taxable construction financing and CHFA provided a long-term tax-exempt bond loan. Other sources of debt came from the Connecticut Department of Housing, HUD, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the City of New Britain.

      • June 8, 2023

        Evan Seeman, Ryan Hoyler and Christopher Schaut Discuss Zoning for Recreational Cannabis Use in Connecticut Planning Article

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          Evan Seeman, Ryan Hoyler and Christopher Schaut Discuss Zoning for Recreational Cannabis Use in Connecticut Planning Article

          Real Estate + Development Group lawyers Evan J. Seeman and Ryan D. Hoyler, and Land Use Analyst Christopher P. Schaut co-authored the article “Recreational Marijuana in the Land of Steady Habits: How Towns in Connecticut are Zoning for Recreational Cannabis Use” published in the June 2023 issue of Connecticut Planning, a quarterly magazine issued by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA). The legislation that legalized cannabis use in Connecticut “…also empowered the state’s municipalities to regulate adult recreational cannabis establishments through local zoning codes or ordinances.” The authors surveyed the state’s 169 municipalities to identify regulatory trends and varying approaches taken by communities across the state. There are at least 90 municipalities that permit some form of cannabis establishments, with 72 of them having enacted their own regulations. Evan, Ryan and Chris examine and report how municipalities are dealing with related issues including where establishments are allowed, permitting and procedural considerations, distance separation requirements, security and odor issues, and visibility of products. Evan serves as CCAPA’s Program Committee Chair and is a member of the Executive Board. Read the article.

        • View article