Vol. 21 No. 09 Sep 2006
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Adopts First Strategic Plan
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amA decade ago, a team of federal scientists and researchers unveiled the most comprehensive report card ever compiled on the ecological health of the sprawling Sierra Nevada region. At about the same time, the Sierra Business Council released a landmark survey of its own, the first Sierra Nevada Wealth Index, which painted a comprehensive portrait of the communities scattered up and down the mountain range. The prognosis they delivered was not a hopeful one.
Billboard Company's Takings Claim Rejected By Unanimous State Supreme Court
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amA unanimous California Supreme Court has upheld lower court decisions rejecting an advertising company’s claim that it deserves compensation because trees planted along a public street obstructed visibility of six billboards.
University Can't Ignore Off-Campus Growth Impacts
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amThe state Supreme Court has rejected California State University trustees’ contention that the university does not have to mitigate off-site traffic and fire safety impacts from expansion of the CSU Monterey Bay campus.
San Bernardino County Releases Reports On Two Closely Scrutinized Land Deals
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amTwo San Bernardino County deals go public while a judge rules their flood control easements no longer exist. In Kern County, a federal court lawsuit stems from banned sewer sludge. Conflict of interest allegations result in the arrest of recalled Murrieta mayor and the firing of Siskiyou County Planning Director. In San Mateo, voters will not decide the fate of Bay Meadow's horsetrack, nor will Monterey County see a referendum of a proposed development in November.
Large-Scale Development Planned For Copperopolis
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amBuilding homes around publicly accessible lakes may be the new gold mines in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills. The unincorporated community of Copperopolis in western Calaveras County has just such a water feature in Lake Tulloch, and, not surprisingly, the area is experiencing a growth boom.
Voters To Decide Bay Area Growth
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amVoters in three Bay Area counties have the opportunity in November to cement in place existing policies that steer nearly all growth to cities and away from unincorporated territory. Measures in Contra Costa and Solano counties appear to face limited opposition, but an initiative that would increase parcel sizes and require voters to decide rezoning of some agricultural land and hillsides in Santa Clara County appears to be drawing stiffer protests.
Court Orders Carson Extortion Victim To Repay Affordable Housing Loan
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amProperty owners who received an $850,000 loan from the Carson Redevelopment Agency must return the money because they acquiesced to the mayor’s demand for a $75,000 bribe, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled.
New Project Needs New Environmental Analysis, Not Recycled Study, Court Rules
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amA mitigated negative declaration for a never-built project cannot be used for a subsequent, similar project proposed for the same site, the Third District Court of Appeal has ruled.
Views Of The Coastline From Ocean Not Protected By Law, Court Rules
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amThe Coastal Act does not protect views of the coast from off-shore locations, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled. In a case from San Luis Obispo County, the court ruled that the Coastal Commission did not have authority to require that a proposed house be relocated and downsized to protect the views of boaters and surfers.
San Diego Base Designed For The Long Term
Submitted by importer on 1 September 2006 - 12:00amI mean no disrespect to the developers of Liberty Station when I suggest that they would have to go out of their way to screw up this elegantly organized project.
