January 2010
Golf Course, Housing Plan Splits Small Foothills Town
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 3:30pmThe largest development project ever approved in Amador County might also become the first project in the county to be decided by voters in a referendum.
With 1,334 housing units, 300 time-share units, a golf course resort and a commercial area, Gold Rush Ranch would approximately double the size of the City of Sutter Creek. Project opponents say the project is simply too big, and they fear Gold Rush Ranch could mark the start of extensive suburban-style development in an area that has been relatively slow to grow.
State Budget Bad News Continues For Transit, Ag, OPR
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 3:24pmThe Schwarzenegger administration’s proposed state budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year promises more of the same, as the spending plan mostly mirrors the current year’s version in regards to local government funding, infrastructure and land conservation.
Revised FEMA Flood Risk Maps Raise Ire
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 3:19pmMany California cities and counties are wrestling with flood waters these days, but, perhaps more importantly, they are also wrestling with revised flood risk maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The new maps have raised the consternation of local government officials, homeowners and developers in numerous locales, and in a few places the new maps are forcing reconsideration of growth plans.
Tiburon Loses Prop. 218 Assessment Challenge
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 3:10pmThe Town of Tiburon has lost another round in its ongoing litigation with property owners over assessments to fund the undergrounding of utility lines.
Developers' Challenge To L.A. Design Guidelines Fails
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 3:05pmA state appellate court has upheld the adoption of design guidelines that are intended to implement a City of Los Angeles redevelopment plan.
Air District Delays GHG Guidelines
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 2:36pmFor a second time, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has postponed adoption of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) thresholds of significance for greenhouse gas emissions. The district board delayed a decision until April in the face of ongoing opposition to the thresholds from local governments and some environmentalists, who argue the standards could have unintended consequences.
Questioning Of High-Speed Rail Plan Continues
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 2:17pmThe California High-Speed Rail Authority business plan released at year’s end is inconsistent, unrealistic and potentially illegal, according to a Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) report to the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Controversial SD County Project Gets Reprieve
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 1:54pmThe Merriam Mountains housing project in North San Diego County lives – at least until the Board of Supervisors has another chance to consider the proposed development.
San Jose Adopts Inclusionary Housing Requirement
By Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 1:46pmAfter years of study and negotiations, the San Jose City Council has adopted a citywide inclusionary housing ordinance. The measure, which takes effect in 2013 (unless certain market conditions improve), requires market-rate developers to make 15% of new units available to households with incomes of no more than the median. If developers choose to meet the mandate off-site, the affordable housing requirement rises to 20%. The city has had similar requirements for the downtown area for years.
Transit Crisis Could Halt Infill Development Momentum
By Paul Shigley on 25 January 2010 - 3:54pmFor quite some time now, we’ve heard about the credit crisis, the foreclosure crisis, the health care crisis, the state budget crisis, the climate change crisis. Add one more crisis to your worry list: the transit crisis.