CP&DR

North Livermore Plans for Homes and Farms, But Initiative Looms

Jun 1, 2000

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 15 No. 06 Jun 2000

The City of Livermore and Alameda County are close to completing a specific plan that provides for the development of 3,200 acres and the conservation of 10,300 acres of farmland and open space. However, a Sierra Club-backed urban growth boundary initiative that appears headed for the Alameda County ballot in November could throw the project into question. The city and county are in the midst of conducting approximately 17 workshops and public hearings on the North Livermore Specific Plan. Cit...

Stanislaus County Considers Growth Initiatives, Salida Development Plan

May 1, 2000

Larry Sokoloff, Local Watch, Vol. 15 No. 05 May 2000

Two events will shape Stanislaus County planning and development issues this year: a proposed ballot initiative to rein in urban sprawl, and a plan to encourage business development in an unincorporated community north of Modesto. Proponents of the farmland-protection initiative have until May 11 to gather signatures to place it on the November ballot after the county Board of Supervisors refused to do so. Sponsored by the group GOAL (Growth: Orderly, Affordable, and Livable), the measur...

Redevelopment Proposed for Massive Strech of ‘The Valley'

Apr 1, 2000

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 15 No. 04 Apr 2000

An 11-square-mile portion of the northeast San Fernando Valley could become the City of Los Angeles' largest redevelopment project area. Planners have been at work on the project for about three years, and the City Council is expected to decide whether to create the project area this summer. However, the area is so large — and suffers from such widespread decay — that some people wonder whether a redevelopment project can provide meaningful change. While other cities have giant redevelopment ...

Ontario, Chino Plan Growth As Dairy Cows Move North

Mar 1, 2000

Infill development, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, San Bernardino County, Vol. 15 No. 03 Mar 2000

Large-scale urban development will soon replace the San Bernardino County Dairy Preserve. Last December, the city of Ontario completed its annexation of more than half of the 15,000-acre swath of farmland, and the City of Chino either has annexed or plans to annex the remainder. Ontario's plans for what the city has tabbed the "New Model Colony" call for development of 31,000 homes, 5 million square feet of retail space and 5 million square feet of industrial space.

Stanford Losing Land-Use Autonomy to County

Feb 1, 2000

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 15 No. 02 Feb 2000

Stanford University has proposed construction of about 3,000 housing units and 2 million square feet of academic and cultural facilities, offices and athletic structures. At the same time, Santa Clara County is exerting greater control over Stanford land use then ever before. Stanford — which owns 8,180 acres, two-thirds of which is open space — has submitted a draft Community Plan to the county. The document is more detailed than previous plans, something local government leaders and community ac...

Indian Wells donates housing money.

Feb 1, 2000

CP&DR Staff, Local Watch, Vol. 15 No. 02 Feb 2000

The wealthy City of Indian Wells will give $1.5 million in housing funds to the City of Coachella, a neighboring town where residents' median income is less than one-third that of Indian Wells' citizens. The money is a portion of the mandatory 20% housing set-aside from an Indian Wells redevelopment project, which transformed desert land into an upscale golf resort. Indian Wells has spent $13.6 million in housing funds on 90 senior apartments and earmarked $14.6 million for 100 more senior units. The ...

Sonoma County Grapevine Wars Continue to Rage

Jan 1, 2000

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 15 No. 01 Jan 2000

With complaints rising in Sonoma County regarding the expansion of vineyards, county officials have adopted regulations for grape planting. However, at least some environmentalists and homeowners believe the restrictions are inadequate, and the protests show no sign of abating. Within the last year or so, the amount of Sonoma County property planted as vineyards has surpassed the acreage in the county's nine incorporated cities. Environmentalists and homeowners complain that these new viney...

Latest initiative Might Preclude New Airport at El Toro

Nov 1, 1999

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 11 Nov 1999

The future of the El Toro Marine Corps base in Orange County remains as clouded as ever, with voters likely to decide in March on an initiative that could doom a commercial airport proposed for the site. A 3-2 majority on the Orange County Board of Supervisors continues to push ahead plans for an international airport at El Toro, located in and adjacent to the City of Irvine. But the Safe and Healthy Communities initiative would require two-thirds of voters to approve a new airport. Further ...

Tulare County Dairy Suits Settled

Nov 1, 1999

CP&DR Staff, Local Watch, Vol. 14 No. 11 Nov 1999

Two lawsuits Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed against Tulare County regarding approval of giant dairies have been settled. The county agreed to add an animal waste management element to its general plan and to complete a program EIR by the end of the year. Under terms of a settlement reached in August, the Airosa Diary agreed to suspend its 3,600-cow expansion of a dairy near Pixley until the county completes the EIR and reviews the expansion. An October settlement of a second lawsuit places the sa...

Sonoma Voters Reject Resort

Oct 1, 1999

CP&DR Staff, Local Watch, Vol. 14 No. 10 Oct 1999

An initiative to prevent hotel and resort development on 60 acres of city-owned land in Sonoma passed with 77 percent of the vote during a Sept. 21 special election that attracted 59% of registered voters. A Mexican investor had proposed an upscale, 100-room resort for the hillside above Sonoma Plaza. Project opponents said they wanted to preserve open space and a scenic view.

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