James P.W. Goss

One of Vermont’s preeminent land use and environmental attorneys, Jim Goss has been representing applicants in the contentious state and local permit and approval process for over 35 years. While he is best known for his work on behalf of applicants dealing with Act 250, the State’s major development approval program, Mr. Goss represents individuals and business entities throughout the real estate due diligence, title clearance,  permitting, financing, acquisition and conveyancing processes.  His practice also includes defense of landowners in connection with environmental and zoning enforcement cases as well as hazardous materials and underground storage tank discharge cases.  A considerable portion of Mr. Goss’ practice is devoted to providing these services, and related legal services, to the earth and mineral resource extraction industry.

Mr. Goss also maintains an active general business practice as an adjunct to his land use expertise. He has provided advice to clients doing business in and outside of Vermont in connection with business entity selection and formation, asset acquisitions and stock purchases/sales, procurement of venture capital and conventional financing as well as general commercial transactions.

Mr. Goss has also been active in assisting private landowners and local and national conservation organizations in the negotiation and establishment of conservation easements, equitable servitudes and other protection devices to preserve critical wildlife habitat and other resources important to Vermont’s natural heritage.

Matters which Mr. Goss has been primarily responsible for include the following:

Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. (2000) -- Represented the international retailer in due diligence, land acquisition and contested state and local permitting in connection with opening its second Vermont store.

North East Materials Group, LLC / Rock of Ages Corporation (2012-Date) -- Assisted major producers of crushed and dimensional stone with multiple contested state and local permitting and related real estate matters involving establishment of a hot-mix asphalt plant and other operations at the largest granite quarry in Vermont.

Dollar General Stores / Zaremba Group (2012-Date) -- Represented the national retail chain in acquisition and contested permitting of multiple locations throughout Vermont.

Twin State Sand and Gravel Co., Inc. (2012-Date) -- Represented this long-standing central Vermont aggregate producer in contested permitting and related negotiations with State agencies with respect to their earth extraction and processing operation to Vermont.

Tractor Supply, Inc. / Primax Properties, LLC (2002-2012) -- Represented the developer acting on behalf of a national retailer in land acquisition, financing, leasing and permitting of multiple stores throughout Vermont.

Walgreens Pharmacies / Mark Development, Inc.  (2004) -- Assisted the representative of this national retail chain in title clearance, land acquisition and contested permitting of their facility in Rutland, Vermont.

J. P. Carrara and Sons, Inc. (1987-Date) -- Represented the largest producer of concrete and crushed stone products in Central Vermont in quarry permitting and compliance and miscellaneous legal matters.

Pike Industries, Inc. (2005-2021) -- Assisted this major producer of stone aggregate products with permitting of multiple earth extraction and processing projects throughout Vermont.

The Conservation Fund (2000-Date) -- Represented this national conservation organization working with agencies of the State of Vermont and private land owners to acquire land and conservation easements to protect critical wildlife habitat throughout the State.

Middle Road Construction, Inc. / Nehemiah Associates, Inc. / Northport Partners, Inc. / Palmiter Realty, Inc. / DCF Development, LLC / Amherst Realty, LLC / Juster Development, Inc., and others (1985-Date) -- Regularly represents developers of residential subdivisions, condominiums, planned unit developments and other common interest communities in land acquisition, financing, permitting, drafting of declarations and other constituent documents and conveyancing.

New England Precision, Inc. (1995-Date) -- General representation of a precision tool manufacturing company, including acquisition of additional business divisions and manufacturing plants.

Mr. Goss is a 1980 graduate of Cornell University and a 1983 graduate of Case Western Reserve University Law School. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of Vermont and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  He is listed in the 2010-22 editions of “The Best Lawyers in America” in the areas of Land Use, Zoning and Mining Law.