A lack of available land to build large industrial and logistics projects, coupled with increased regulatory pressures, is plaguing developers throughout California, according to one legal expert.

John Condas, a partner with Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in Irvine, tells GlobeSt that his clients have been more circumspect in seeking entitlements for new industrial projects given the current interest rate environment, but that "growth should continue, but at a slower pace."

"Our clients who are processing entitlements throughout California, in the prime areas where in the past clients have sought to get approvals and develop large logistics facilities, have had little success in acquiring large properties because there is not available land to build large projects," says Condas, who will be speaking as a panelist at next week's GlobeSt Industrial conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. "Therefore, clients are pursuing one of two strategies:  smaller buildings in closer-in areas, or larger buildings in areas further away from the ports.  We also are seeing clients buying small already-built assets, with an eye towards redeveloping with truck-related services or outdoor storage."