CP&DR

Voters Show Pro-Growth Sentiment: But November Local Ballot Measure Results Are Mixed Overall–Again

Dec 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 12 Dec 2002

In an election with the typical mix of results, the pro-growth side won 19 of 32 easily classifiable local land use ballot measures on November 5. However, in votes regarding large, well-defined projects, the slow-growth side prevailed most often.

Governor Signs Housing Bills, Rail Bond

Nov 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

Gov. Gray Davis completed the 2001-02 legislative session by signing several bills backed by affordable housing advocates, a coastal access bill opposed by some of his friends, and a bill that takes a modest step toward more coordinated state planning.

Density Legislation Riles Local Planners

Oct 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 10 Oct 2002

State lawmakers closed their 2001-02 session by approving bills that limit local government's ability to regulate housing density, urge better coordination by state agencies, protect agricultural land, add requirements to local general plans, and decrease litigation over condominium construction.

Prevailing Wage Law Has Mixed Impact: Affordable Housing Projects Likely To Cost More

Sep 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 09 Sep 2002

A new requirement that nearly every California development project built with any public subsidies — including many affordable housing projects — must be constructed with prevailing wage labor appears to be having an impact. But the effects may not be as substantial as some people fear, at least not yet.

Construction Defect Rules May Change

Aug 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 08 Aug 2002

State lawmakers appear to be accepting the longstanding argument that needed construction of condominiums and townhouses is being chilled by construction defect litigation, and legislators might be ready to pass a reform bill this year.

San Diego Regional Authority Proposed

Jul 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 07 Jul 2002

State legislation that would lead to the creation of a planning and transportation "super agency" in San Diego County is moving forward. Capitol insiders and a number of officials in the San Diego region expect bills that address San Diego regional governance to pass in some form before the Legislature concludes on August 31.

Local Takings Initiative Heads to Ballot

Jun 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 06 Jun 2002

An initiative that would require Nevada County to pay property owners if a land use regulation diminishes property value appears headed for the November ballot. Both opponents and supporters of the initiative expect that Nevada County will approve the initiative — and that it could lead to similar efforts in other parts of California, especially in conservative rural counties.

Religious Land Uses Vex Planners

May 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Religious Land Uses , Vol. 17 No. 05 May 2002

Local regulation of religious land uses has become the latest battlefield in California development. There are at least seven lawsuits pending over government regulation of church development, proposed private schools, and the use of facilities by religious ministries. Lawsuits have been filed against the cities of Concord, Cypress, El Cajon, Los Angeles and Morgan Hill, and against Alameda County and the California Coastal Commission. Additional lawsuits appear likely in Sierra Madre and Hun

Slow-Growth Advocates Win Elections; Proposed El Toro Airport Loses Again

Apr 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Initiatives and referendums, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 04 Apr 2002

Slow growth advocates won eight of 14 easily classified local land use ballot measures in the March primary election. However, development supporters won elections in some long-time strongholds of slow growth, including Napa County and the City of Scotts Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Housing, Bonds Top Lawmakers' Priority Lists

Mar 1, 2002

Featured Articles, other, Vol. 17 No. 03 Mar 2002

Consensus may be rare in Sacramento, but nearly everyone agrees on one thing this year: proposals that cost money are doomed. Despite the lack of money — or maybe because there is no money — lawmakers could still pass a number of policy bills related to planning.