Competitor-generated opposition is widespread, sophisticated, and almost always covert. And it’s far more dangerous than typical NIMBY resistance because it’s supported by real resources: lawyers, engineers, organizers, and sometimes entire PR firms.
Unfortunately, in land use politics, truth is necessary for developers—but optional for opponents.
When a room fills with angry residents, the first question developers often ask is: “Are these people paid?”
“Every development project…is inherently political. A zoning approval or environmental review is not just a box to check; it’s a flashpoint for debate.”
Consensus Strategies is proud to have played a key role in a groundbreaking new study published in Scientific Reports, Nature Magazine’s open-access scientific journal. The
Exciting news from SSRN! My paper, “The Dynamics of Public Opposition in Land Use Politics,” has been recognized as a Top Paper and was listed on SSRN’s Top
Your Gateway to Reliable, Actionable Data The Consensus Panel is a high-quality, probability-based research panel built for accuracy, representativeness, and speed. Designed for researchers, marketers,
Abstract This chapter, excerpted from Mastering Land Use Politics, explores how public opposition has transformed land use planning from a process of consensus-building into a
Abstract Public hearings on land use decisions are widely regarded as pillars of democratic participation. Yet these forums often obscure the true dynamics of political
Reviewed by Danelle Petersen for Readers’ Favorite Mastering Land Use Politics, by professional strategist Patrick Fitzgerald Fox, is, as the title suggests, a guide that aids land
Consensus Strategies CEO, Patrick Fox, releases new book. “Mastering Land Use Politics” is a practical guide for navigating the political, legal, and public relations challenges
Air Date: 05/16/2023 Join Bull Realty CEO and show host Michael Bull as he welcomes back Patrick Fox, the CEO of Consensus Strategies, to delve
Our latest global survey tracking trends in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance profiled attitudes toward vaccines and treatments and the issues surrounding vaccine hesitancy. We surveyed 23,000
We are very happy to congratulate Elisabeth Gammelsæter, former Secretary-General of the business NGO Norsk Bergindustry [Norwegian Mineral Industry], on the publication of her book Not in
Patrick Fox, CEO of Consensus Strategies, to the show to discuss zoning and development trends for 2022, including strategies for building consensus in communities, how
Our national survey on COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance is a Nature Magazine Top 100 making it one of the most downloaded scientific research papers in 2021! COVID-19 vaccine
Results are in from our latest survey for CUNY School of Public Health. Our COVID-19 research spans 27 countries so far and our data is
Well, there’s a very simple explanation but it’s not one that the “survey research experts” want you to know. These days, repeating the same old methods leads to repeated failures.
“People like to be asked.” Even though Tip had known this neighbor for years and she voted for him, this legendary politician learned an invaluable lesson about cultivating political support.
Survey research is one tool in the belt. Not understanding how it fits in your broader strategy will make it an exercise in futility.
The systemic dissemination of misinformation is not just a political problem. It has very real consequences in commercial real estate project approvals and other public
Survey research programs are providing a cutting-edge advantage. Real estate development projects each come with their own set of unique strengths and weaknesses. Experienced developers
Consensus Strategies CEO Patrick Fox talks about NY marijuana NIMBYs and site fights with Blunt Business Radio. Hear the full interview here
The Gold Rush is on. With a year to ramp up to legal recreational marijuana in New York, the battle between local equity applicants and
America’s Commercial Real Estate Show March 02, 2021- Things have certainly changed when it comes to zoning and entitlement of real estate projects. It’s perfect
More than 1 in 10 opponents of legalization say they are likely to be a customer.
Our COVID Studies are helping to focus public policy, inform public debate and drive effective COVID response around the world. Consensus Strategies has been heavily
Marijuana, Misinformation and Misguidance “If you build it, they will come!” By THEY, I mean NIMBYs (Not in My Back Yard) and CAVE People (Citizens
It’s the “new normal” and it comes with both opportunities and challenges. Virtual public meetings are substantially different in tone and process sometimes making experienced
Land use and development is political and quantifiable. With over 15 years of survey data we know that a politician’s stance on development and growth are a
When Consensus Strategies’ SVP Owen Eagan isn’t managing your projects, he is an Executive-in-Residence at Emerson College, the nation’s only four-year institution dedicated exclusively to
The Covid-19 crisis is likely to be the greatest disaster of our lifetime with implications that will extend for years to come. The changes to society, business, politics and public perceptions will be extensive with both new challenges and opportunities for developers and all companies operating in the public sphere.
U.S. zoning expert Patrick Fox joins show host/broker Michael Bull to discuss how COVID has changed the rezoning and entitlement process. Discussions include new strategies
New “Digital Advocates” will change local planning and decision making.
This societal crisis, unlike any we have seen in our lifetimes, has presented a myriad of challenges. Arguably one of the hardest challenges to grapple with has been social distancing and orders prohibiting large gatherings. But we’re adapting. Online
We are living in a weird time: The current crisis and “social distancing” orders have put jobs, activities and lives on hold. Whether working from
I am often asked “what are the toughest projects on which you work?” The stories of epic multiyear, knockdown, drag-out battles are best told over
Don’t be naive about who your opponents are and what they really want. Seemingly irrational opponents may have a very rational motivation to shut you
1. They have got to win this approval. The business men and women who appear before your commissions and boards seeking approvals are under tremendous
1. Opponents defy demographics. They now come from every ethnicity, age, party, ideology, region, religion, and gender. While in many situations the more affluent —
1. Stop all development anywhere near me. 79% of Americans want no new development projects in their communities. Now that does not mean they are
Successful movie studios are harnessing digital media and grassroots techniques to build audiences and promote films. Consensus Strategies’ SVP Owen Eagan is a leading expert
When your projects benefits become its negatives. Self-storage is experiencing explosive growth. Annual industry revenue in the US is now $38 billion and it
Hiding is not a strategy. The opponents are coming whether they are anxious abutters, political opportunists, competitor funded rabble-rousers or local activists. Keeping quiet doesn’t
History is constantly repeating with developers making these same old mistakes.Learn from experience and have a strategy to avoid these common problems. 1. “Don’t tell
Whether protesting a president, a policy, a pipeline or a development project, it is highly unlikely that protesters have been paid. It is much more
These Characters show up at every public hearing.You know they’re coming but are you ready for them? Opponents dominate public hearings these days. They are
It’s secretly acting to protect your market share and profits from an encroaching competitor by generating and organizing community opposition. It is extremely effective
Dealing with the Idiotic, Irrational and Incomprehensible Anyone advocating for a controversial initiative today must learn to deal with the fear of change, cynicism
Credibility is crucial for commercial developers but not so much for their opponents. The greatest advantage held by opponents today is that they can
Tips for Managing the Unmanageable Every commercial real estate development team is made up of experts from a variety of disciplines. Managing them and the
Broken Planning: How Opponents Hijacked the Planning Process Former U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill famously said that “All politics is local.”
Any company making decisions about a commercial real estate deal does a lot of due diligence. They study demographics, market share, infrastructure, and deal financials
Having a good project is not enough.Remember that it is all about the politics. A client recently asked me how to deal with an angry
Whether you call them NIMBYs, BANANAs, CAVE* people or misinformed nutcases, they are organizing to stop your project and, often, they are winning.
Some people are just plain angry. Fear of change as well as rumors, misunderstandings and outright lies can leave developers confronted by angry, distrusting residents