Land Use Lowdown: "How Public Relations Plays a Role in Land Use Decisions"

About this episode

This episode discusses the critical role of public relations in land use decisions with insights from industry expert Matt Levinson.

Welcome to the Land Use Lowdown, podcast from the Greenspoon Marder land use team where we will share updates and trends on land‑use policy, development, and litigation shaping our region. In this episode of The Land Use Lowdown, Greenspoon Marder Partner Liz Somerstein sits down with Matt Levinson, Chief Operating Officer of O’Connell Goldberg, a leading PR and public affairs firm representing developers and builders across Florida. Together, they unpack the often misunderstood but critically important role that public relations plays in navigating land use and entitlement processes. Matt shares insights from more than two decades of experience guiding developers through complex rezonings, land use changes, and politically sensitive projects. From why PR needs to begin before a single document is submitted under Florida’s broad Sunshine Law, to how early community engagement can prevent costly delays, this episode explores the strategies that shape the outcome of development proposals long before they reach a commission agenda. Whether you're a developer, attorney, planner, or anyone involved in Florida’s land use landscape, this conversation offers invaluable insight into how…

People in this episode

Host: Liz Somerstein

Guest: Matt Levinson

Topics covered

• public relations
• land use
• entitlement processes
• community engagement

Keywords

• land use policy
• development
• litigation
• Florida
• rezonings

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: the Land Use Lowdown

Places: Florida

More episodes of Land Use Lowdown

• Land Use Lowdown: “Development-Focused Legislative Update from This Year’s Florida Regular Session” · April 14, 2026 · 17 min
• Land Use Lowdown 3: "Beyond the Live Local Act - Emerging Land Use Trends in South Florida" · March 14, 2026 · 8 min
• Land Use Lowdown 2: "Legal Challenges and Local Pushback – Navigating the Tension" · February 12, 2026 · 12 min
• Land Use Lowdown: "Understanding the Live Local Act – What It Means for South Florida" · January 15, 2026 · 17 min