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Dirt to Development

Dirt to Development

Hosted by Withey Morris

BusinessNewsPoliticsInterviews guests
WebsiteRSS feed

Episodes

82

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

We've got a dirty secret. Quite a few actually, and you will only hear them on our new podcast called Dirt to Development. We give you a behind-the-scenes look at key development projects and the insane stories surrounding them. Stay tuned to listen to all the dirt on land use, development, and the inside politics of Arizona!

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 11, 202612 min

Ep. 81 - From NIMBY to Neighborly: Turning Project Opponents into Project Allies

Every development project eventually meets its critics—but opposition doesn't have to become an obstacle. In this episode of Dirt to Development, we explore practical strategies for transforming project opponents into project allies, from effective neighborhood outreach and strategic concessions to building trust with community leaders and navigating the political realities of Arizona entitlements. Learn why the most successful rezonings aren't won through confrontation, but through collaboration, communication, and turning skeptics into supporters.

July 28, 202617 min

Ep. 80 - Old Buildings, New Tricks: The Legal Playbook for Adaptive Reuse in Arizona

Across Arizona, developers are transforming aging offices, obsolete retail centers, and underutilized commercial buildings into vibrant new destinations. But adaptive reuse projects often come with hidden challenges—from deed restrictions and zoning stipulations to parking deficiencies, building code upgrades, and neighborhood opposition.  In this episode of Dirt to Development, we explore the legal, zoning, and entitlement strategies that can make or break an adaptive reuse project. Using real-world examples, we discuss how early due diligence, creative problem-solving, and proactive stakeholder engagement can turn seemingly impossible redevelopment opportunities into successful community assets. Whether you're a developer, investor, planner, architect, or land-use professional, this episode provides practical insights for navigating Arizona's growing adaptive reuse landscape.

July 21, 202611 min

Ep. 79 - Silicon Meets Site Plans: AI is Fast – But Can it Read the Room?

 Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about tools in commercial real estate, but what does it actually mean for developers, investors, brokers, and landowners? In this episode of Dirt to Development, we explores the growing role of AI in property due diligence, land acquisition, and real estate development. Adam discusses how AI is helping real estate professionals analyze data faster, streamline due diligence, evaluate opportunities more efficiently, and make more informed investment decisions. But the conversation goes beyond the hype. He examines the limitations of AI, particularly in the areas of zoning, entitlements, community engagement, and local politics—where experience, relationships, and judgment remain critical to success. From evaluating development sites to navigating municipal approval processes, many of the most important aspects of real estate development still require a human touch.

July 15, 202638 min

Ep. 78 - The Growth Advocate: Clark Princell on Housing, Politics, and Arizona’s Development Future

 Arizona continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, but who is shaping the policies and conversations behind that growth? On this episode of Dirt to Development, we sit down with Clark Princell, President and CEO of Valley Partnership, to discuss the forces driving development across the Valley and the challenges that threaten to slow it down.  From housing affordability and entitlement battles to infrastructure planning, legislative priorities, and the rise of neighborhood opposition, Clark offers a candid look at the intersection of politics, policy, and real estate development in Arizona. The conversation explores what Arizona is getting right, where local governments can improve, and why continued collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to maintaining the state's economic competitiveness.

June 22, 202622 min

Ep. 77 - Big Box to Big Blocks: The Empty Commerical to Multifamily Makeover w/George Pasquel

As retail vacancies linger and housing demand surges, Arizona HB 2110 is creating a new playbook for adaptive reuse across the state. In this episode, we break down how commercial-to-multifamily conversions are moving from theoretical to feasible—and why this bill could be a game changer for developers, municipalities, and investors alike.We dive into how HB 2110 opens the door to by-right or streamlined residential entitlements on underutilized commercial sites, reducing rezoning friction and shortening timelines that have historically killed deals. From aging shopping centers to struggling office corridors, we explore where the biggest opportunities lie—and where local resistance may still present hurdles.Whether you're repositioning a dying retail center or advising clients on land strategy, this episode unpacks the legal mechanics and real-world implications of Arizona’s latest push to turn empty square footage into much-needed housing.

June 1, 202636 min

Ep. 76 - The ROAD Less Traveled: What Congress' Housing Bill Means for BTR with Steve LaTerra

Congress is close to delivering the most significant housing legislation in decades - but not without sparking a fierce debate over build-to-rent communities and institutional investment. In this episode we speak with Steve Laterra (Terra Lane Development) to break down the latest version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the controversial provisions that nearly upended the BTR industry, and the House amendments that changed the game.

May 21, 202611 min

Ep. 75 - Build-to-Rent Meets the Federal Speed Bump

 In this episode of Dirt to Development, Adam Baugh breaks down the proposed federal “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act” and explores how it could reshape housing development, zoning, and institutional investment across Arizona. From build-to-rent uncertainty to the unintended consequences for housing supply, this episode examines whether the legislation is truly paving the road to affordability — or creating new roadblocks for development.

April 7, 202621 min

Ep. 74 - Watt’s the Deal with Data Center Zoning?

Data centers may be the backbone of the digital economy, but getting them approved on the ground is anything but seamless. In this episode, we unpack the growing tension between surging demand for data infrastructure and the realities of local zoning and land use regulation—where megawatts meet municipal code.From intensive utility demands and transmission constraints to water usage concerns, noise, and community skepticism, data center projects often face a uniquely complex entitlement path. We explore why jurisdictions are grappling with how to classify and regulate these facilities, and how outdated zoning frameworks struggle to keep pace with hyperscale development.We also dig into the politics: why neighbors push back, how elected officials respond, and what it takes to position a project as compatible—even beneficial—to the surrounding community. Along the way, we break down practical strategies for navigating rezoning, securing use permits, and building a defensible record that can withstand scrutiny.Whether you’re a developer, land use attorney, planner, or policymaker, this episode offers a candid look at the friction points—and opportunities—shaping the future of data center siting.

March 25, 202642 min

Ep. 73 - Razing the Bar: An Adaptive Reuse Love Story

The pursuit of land use entitlements comes with risk.  For partners Adam Baugh and Jason Morris, the risk was worth the reward as they converted a local bar into a swanky law office complete with a putting green and a speakeasy.  The redevelopment of this 40-year-old building is a masterclass in adaptive reuse execution. Said best, "I'm sure the sports bar served better wings, but we dispense way better advice.” Join us in the journey of this office flip.

March 18, 202615 min

Ep. 72 - Proportionately Yours

 In this episode, we break down the concept of proportionality appeals in the land use context and why they have become an increasingly important tool for developers and property owners. When cities and towns impose conditions on development approvals—whether through exactions, infrastructure requirements, or other mitigation measures—the law requires those conditions to remain proportional to the impacts of the project. Drawing on the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decisions in Nollan v. California Coastal Commission and Dolan v. City of Tigard, we explore the constitutional limits on government exactions and how the principles of “essential nexus” and “rough proportionality” shape local land use decisions. We also discuss how those standards apply when challenging permit conditions and what developers should consider before filing a proportionality appeal. Whether you are a developer, planner, municipal official, or land use attorney, this episode offers practical insights into when a condition crosses the line—and how proportionality appeals can help restore balance between legitimate public interests and private property rights. Tune in as we unpack the legal framework, real-world implications, and strategic considerations behind one of the most important doctrines in modern land use law.

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