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• • Coon Rapids Planning Commission prior to that time. John Roszak served on the Eagan Planning Commission. Both have an appreciation for the land use decision - making process. We also continue to be actively involved in land use litigation. In Interstate Power Company v. Nobles County, 1999 WL 171495 (Minn. Ct. App. 1999) we persuaded the Appellate Court to uphold our clients' denials of a conditional use permit based on health, safety and welfare considerations. The denial protected the integrity of a county highway. In Neitzel v. Redwood County, 521 N.W.2d 73 (Minn. Ct. App. 1994), we established a new rule of law providing for expedited review of certain types of municipal land use decisions. The new process benefited and continues to benefit our clients. In Buss v. Blue Earth County, 2002 WL 1326624 (Minn. Ct. App. 2002) we successfully defended the decision to grant a variance for the rebuilding of a horse barn. In Diamond A Farm v. Sherburne County, 2004 WL 2283457 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004) we were successful in defending the decision to issue a conditional use permit for the building of a greenhouse. In Overgaard v. Rock County, 2003 WL 21744235 (D. Minn. 2003) we defended the County Board's application and interpretation of its zoning ordinance against a challenge from a neighbor of the applicant. In SOB, Inc. v. County of Benton, 317 F.3d 856 (8th Cir.) we successfully defended the County's adult use ordinance against a myriad of challenges from the operator and dancers of a strip club. Finally, in Watab Twnshp Citizen Alliance v. Benton County, 728 N.W.2d 82 (Minn. Ct. App. 2007), we succeeded in defending a county against attacks against the platting process, property re- zoning, and its decision on the need for an EAW. 2. Municipal Real Estate and Facilities A public client, just as a private client, engages in matters that involve real estate. Municipalities buy and sell land, condemn land, build and remodel facilities, and become engaged in real estate valuation issues involving ad valorem taxation and special assessments. Jay Squires is certified as a Real Property Law Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. Certification as a specialist in this area constitutes a recognition of particular competence in the field of real estate. The firm's work in land acquisition includes condemnation where voluntary acquisition of needed land is not possible. The positive results we have achieved include both reasonable settlements and favorable Commissioners' reports and jury verdicts on appeal. In Independent School District No. 194, Lakeville v. Tollefson Development, Inc. 506 N.W.2d 346 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993), we convinced the Court of Appeals to establish a new rule of law which resulted in the dismissal of the landowner's appeal of the condemnation commission award involving land for the Lakeville High School. The result was that the School District saved roughly $1.3 million; preserving a $700,000 commissioners' award when the landowner had sought over $2,000,000. 5