
Overview
Craig Gianetti, co-chair of the firm's Real Estate, Environmental and Land Use practice, assists property owners, developers and institutional investors in all aspects of real estate development, from the initial transaction, to development approvals, financing and litigation. He helps clients with residential and commercial real estate development matters, including land use and zoning, affordable housing, redevelopment law, real estate transactions and litigation.
Craig has extensive experience in affordable housing matters related to developer and municipal compliance with affordable housing laws and has represented developers in affordable housing projects financed through the NJHMFA and the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. He has been involved in dozens of affordable housing cases through out New Jersey on behalf of developers.
In addition to his practice, Craig is an instructor of "Introduction to Zoning Enforcement and Administration" at Rutgers University's Center for Government Services, and has been a guest speaker at the Kislak Real Estate Institute at Monmouth University. He is a regular speaker on various panels and seminars concerning land use and affordable housing. He is also a past-Chair of the Land Use Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Craig served as judicial clerk to the Honorable Eugene D. Serpentelli, Assignment Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court, Ocean County Law Division (retired), where he primarily assisted on land use and affordable housing matters in Ocean County.
Experience
Represented multiple Fortune 500 companies on the repurposing and redevelopment of corporate campuses in New Jersey
Represented a number of developer clients in obtaining rezoning for property as part of municipal affordable housing compliance plans, which in some instances involved litigation
Represent national pharmacy chain and regional convenience store chain in obtaining land use approvals throughout New Jersey
Recently represented both residential and commercial developers in redevelopment projects in New Jersey, including Morristown, Newark, Irvington, Wall Township, Atlantic City, Woodbridge, Moorestown and Old Bridge
Recently represented several affordable housing developers on the financing for projects in New Jersey using federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Represented several developers in obtaining rezoning or development approvals for over 3 million square feet of industrial space in New Jersey since 2021
Represented Fortune 100 Company on land use approvals for multiple parcel distribution centers throughout the state of New Jersey
Represent a large institutional real estate investment company in land use and affordable housing due diligence matters as part of various acquisitions and dispositions in New Jersey
Education and Credentials
Education
- Quinnipiac University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2003, Associate Editor, Quinnipiac Law Review
- Villanova University, B.S., 2000
Admissions
- State of New Jersey
- State of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Affiliations
- New Jersey State Bar Association, Land Use Law Section, Former Chair
- New Jersey Builders Association
- Morris County Bar Association
- Metropolitan Builders and Contractors Association, Inc.
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Real Estate Law, 2023-2025
Selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Land Use/Zoning, 2017-2024
Selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), Land Use/Zoning, 2012-2016
Recipient of the 2003 Connecticut Bar Association Real Property Award for article on affordable housing, "Third Time's The Charm? The Mount Laurel Solution To Exclusionary Zoning," Fall 2001
News & Insights
Thought Leadership
- New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance agency Adopts Interim Amendments to the Uniform Housing Affordability Control Rules , January 6, 2025
- New Jersey's Fourth Round Affordable Housing Numbers Released , October 24, 2024
- New Jersey Appellate Division Invalidates Municipal Ordinance Regulating Ownership of Age-Restricted Residences , August 5, 2024
- New Flood Disclosure Requirements for New Jersey Landlords and Seller , March 22, 2024
- New Jersey Appellate Division Upholds Decision on Electric Vehicle Parking Credits During Concept Review Phase , February 23, 2024
Events
- "The 72nd Annual Atlantic Builders Convention Conference & Expo," New Jersey Builders Association, March 29, 2023
- "Real Estate Round Table," Day Pitney, February 8, 2023
- 70th Annual Atlantic Builders Convention, April 3, 2019
News
- Day Pitney Names New Co-Chairs of Real Estate and Environmental Practice, April 4, 2023
- Day Pitney Hosts Tent at the 101st Far Hills Race Meeting, October 15, 2022
- Day Pitney Prevails in Overturning Zoning Board Denial of a Use Variance Application, July 11, 2022
- Day Pitney Real Estate Team Obtains Site Plan Approval for Two Development Projects in the Same Night, February 8, 2022
- Day Pitney Represents Hancock Family in Successful Rezoning Negotiations, August 2, 2021
In The Media
Publications
- New Jersey Governor Signs Permit Extension Act for the Duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Day Pitney Alert, July 6, 2020
- Author, "The Sidewalk Contribution: An Illegal Exaction?," NJBA Cutting Edge, June 2012, June 1, 2012
- Author, "But COAH Is Gone, Right?" NJBA The Cutting Edge, December 2011, December 1, 2011
- Author, "Towns Need to be Pushed on Housing," Asbury Park Press, November 14, 2010, November 14, 2011
- Author, "Discouraging Development Hurts New Jersey Economy," Star Ledger, December 8, 2010, December 8, 2010
Media Mentions
- NJ affordable housing deadline: Here's what your town owes, and you might be eligible, Asbury Park Press, February 5, 2025
- Upper Freehold Oks Warehouses After 10-Month Hearing, But Allentown Will Fight, Asbury Park Press, December 19, 2024
- Affordable Housing Law 'Streamlines' Process for Cities, Law360 , August 27, 2024
- Court Tells Wealthy NJ Town: We'll Decide Where You'll Put Affordable Housing, Gothamist , April 10, 2024
- NJ Bill Paves An Aggressive Affordable-Housing Path, Law360, March 25, 2024
- NJ Towns Seek Revival of Affordable Housing Agency, Law360 Real Estate Authority, August 3, 2023
- Day Pitney Names Real Estate, Environmental Co-Chairs in NJ, Law360, April 4, 2023
- Coffey, Gianetti Named Co-Chairs of Day Pitney Real Estate and Environmental Group, Real Estate NJ, April 5, 2023
- New Leadership Announced at Day Pitney, New Jersey Law Journal, April 4, 2023
- REIT eyes plan to reposition South Jersey mall with 1,100 apartments, hotel, RE-NJ, January 21, 2021
- Craig Gianetti Featured in Real Estate New Jersey Market Forecast, Real Estate New Jersey, January 21, 2020
- Developer Secures LIHTC Financing for 84-unit Newark Project, Day Pitney Says, Real Estate NJ, October 4, 2018
- NJ Affordable Housing Trial May Signal Fate, Law360, June 5, 2017
- Affordable Housing Developers Anxious amid Tax Uncertainty, Law360, May 11, 2017
- Closed For Business: Is New Jersey Pushing out Small- And Medium-Sized Companies?, RegentAtlantic, June 2016
- 110 affordable housing units proposed in Wall, The Asbury Park Press, February 4, 2016
- Construction and Real Estate Clients Often Require Vigorous Advocacy, Commerce Magazine, December 17, 2015
- Matheny threatened by council vote?, MyCentralJersey.com, October 1, 2015
- NJ Facing Wave Of Affordable Housing Suits, Law360, July 7, 2015
Speaking Engagements
- Morning Headlines, WNYC Radio, WNYC Radio, October 9, 2024
- "The Basics of NJ Land Use Practice 2024", New Jersey State Bar Association, September 17, 2024
- 2024 Redevelopment Law Institute Seminar, January 24, 2024
- "Land Use Update 2022," NJICLE, February 28, 2022
- "Commercial Real Estate Transactions – From Fist Bump to Closing," NJICLE, September 8, 2021
- Land Use Update 2021, March 17, 2021
- COVID-19 Issues in the Building Industry, April 22, 2020
- Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Opportunity Zones: Synergies and Conflicts, January 17, 2020
- The Land Use Institute: Mt. Laurel and Other Hot Topics, December 11, 2019
- NJICLE 2019 Land Use Update, March 20, 2019
- Opportunity Zones and How They Affect Your Business, December 4, 2018
- 69th Annual Atlantic Builders Convention, April 11-12, 2018
- NJICLE's 2018 Land Use Update, February 28, 2018
- The Land Use Institute, December 13, 2017
- Legal "Hot Topics" Seminar, October 20, 2017
- Legal 'Hot Topics' Seminar, July 27, 2017
- Atlantic Builders Conference and Expo, April 5, 2017
- NJICLE 2017 Land Use Update, March 29, 2017
- Introduction to New Jersey Land Use Practice, June 17, 2016
- MCEDC Land Use Networking Event, April 27, 2016
- Atlantic Builders Convention, March 30, 2016