Anthony Galluccio, land use and permitting attorney and law partner at Galluccio & Watson LLP, is issuing a public alert about a common and avoidable risk he sees across communities and careers: moving forward without understanding the process.
After decades in public service, law, youth coaching, and charity leadership, Galluccio says the same mistake repeats itself. People rush and decide internally that their project is "good for the community." The first public meeting should be after months of listening and getting to know neighbors. Start ahead, stay ahead. Start with mistrust and you may never recover.
"Public process is my trademark. Some clients resist it but they either listen or learn the hard way. Treat people as you would want to be treated if the project was in your neighborhood," Galluccio said. He notes that opposition can be cooled and opponents can become supporters. "Good intentions aren't enough. You are changing the community. Take the time to build trust and earn people's support."
Why is this risk so common? A bunker mentality often develops when highly paid teams sit around telling each other what a great project it is. Studies show nearly 60% of project delays stem from poor planning or unclear processes. Research suggests 40% of daily actions are habit-driven, meaning unplanned habits often guide outcomes. Communities that lack public engagement experience higher conflict and longer approval timelines.
"Speed feels productive, but getting real buy-in is what actually moves things forward," Galluccio said. The common trap is "drinking your own kool aid"—allowing the project to evolve without public interaction. Permitting isn't fast work; it's trust-based work. "Community process saves people time later. You either invest it upfront or pay for it later."
Galluccio offers a quick self-check: Did you skip community process before introducing the project? Do you rely on urgency instead of preparation? Do you resent challenging questions? If you answered yes to three or more, this risk likely applies. He recommends a decision tree: if rushed, refine success as getting feasible entitlements approved on a reasonable timeline; if unclear, allow the project to change with community input; if facing resistance, embrace change so the project becomes "theirs" not "yours"; if overwhelmed, remember no one is entitled to permits—they must be earned.
"Every day is like a game. You win, you reflect and get better; you lose, you get to practice and get better," Galluccio said. He calls for comforting the community before they are unnerved. "Trust is built when you show up consistently and respond to concerns. You have to get beat up, endure, and prove to the community you are worthy of partnership."
Anthony Galluccio is a Cambridge-based attorney at Galluccio & Watson LLP, focusing on land use, zoning, and permitting. He has headed historic rezonings and permitting of some of the largest projects in Cambridge and Somerville. He previously served on the Cambridge City Council, as Mayor of Cambridge, and as a Massachusetts State Senator.
