CP&DR

Farmland Conservation Program Faces Uncertainty

Aug 20, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

Gov. Schwarzenegger's unilateral decision to eliminate payments to counties that offer Williamson Act tax breaks to owners of agricultural land has raised doubts about the future of the state's largest farmland-preservation program. Many representatives of the affected counties have said they would like to remain in the program. But the end of state subventions that help offset lost property tax revenue is causing many counties to re-evaluate their participation.

Court Rules L.A. Inclusionary Housing Mandate Violates State Law

Aug 20, 2009

Housing, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

A state appellate court ruling striking down an affordable housing mandate in the City of Los Angeles could have statewide implications. Affordable-housing advocates and municipal attorneys say the decision, if it stands, calls into question inclusionary housing ordinances that require developers to set aside and price a certain percentage of new rental units at below-market rates.

Water Legislation Stirs Old Concerns

Aug 19, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

State lawmakers say that water and the Bay Delta should be the Legislature's top priorities until it recesses on September 11. Democratic lawmakers have introduced a five-bill package that they insist provides a framework for moving forward with the co-equal goals of Delta ecosystem restoration and increased water supply reliability. Republican lawmakers, however, said the package leans too heavily toward environmental considerations at the expense of water reliability.

State Takes $2 Billion From Redevelopment

Jul 30, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Redevelopment, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

By shifting $1.7 billion from redevelopment agencies to state programs and schools, the state budget signed this week by Gov. Schwarzenegger could halt numerous redevelopment projects for years to come, according to the agencies and housing proponents. The tax increment shift could also mean the end for some redevelopment agencies.

State Funding Doesn't Match GHG Goals, Committee Says

Jul 29, 2009

California, Climate change, Environment Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

California's continuing budget woes, coupled with the nation's stubborn recession, could hinder the state's ability to meet its ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. This is one of the chief concerns of the Regional Targets Advisory Committee, which will recommend how the California Air Resources Board should allocate greenhouse gas emissions-reduction targets among the state's metropolitan planning organizations.

Court Refuses To Consider RHNA Lawsuit

by Paul Shigley on Jul 15, 2009

Housing, Orange County, Paul Shigley, SCAG, Vol. 24 No. 08 Jul 2009 - 2

A courtroom is not the location to settle disputes over regional fair-share housing allocations. So ruled the Fourth District Court of Appeal on June 30 in a closely watched case involving the City of Irvine. As a result of the ruling, the city apparently is stuck with having to plan for development of 35,000 additional housing units ï¿½ equal to about half of its existing inventory ï¿½ over the next five years.

Suisun City Redevelopment Advances Into Second Phase

Jul 15, 2009

Downtown planning, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Solano County, Vol. 24 No. 08 Jul 2009 - 2

Ten years ago, Suisun City was one of the nation's great redevelopment success stories. Plagued by violent, drug-dealing gangs, it literally bulldozed their strongholds to make room for a fancy civic center. The city reclaimed its neglected waterfront and approved the construction of hundreds of homes in a traditional neighborhood development.

The Solano County city became a case study for planners, new urbanists and journalists. But all the success and awards have not lessened a feeling that Suisun City's redevelopment still has a long ways to go.

Planning, Development To Feel State Budget Cuts

Jul 1, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 07 Jul 2009 - 1

While California's yawning budget gap remains wide open, the revenue and spending plan eventually approved by legislators will likely have significant ramifications for land use planning and development.

Ontario Seeks To Make Its General Plan An Everyday Tool

Jul 1, 2009

General plans, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, San Bernardino County, Vol. 24 No. 07 Jul 2009 - 1

The City of Ontario is on the verge of adopting a general plan unlike any in California. Its goal of transforming Ontario into a bustling urban place of 350,000 residents with the state's most elaborate transit hub is not what sets the plan apart. Instead, it is how the plan is being developed on the Internet and in conjunction with other city plans and policies.

State High Court Clears Way For Proposition 218 Challenge

Jun 17, 2009

Legal Digest, Local government finance, Marin County, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 07 Jul 2009 - 1

For the second time in less than a year, the California Supreme Court has ruled for individual property owners contesting local government assessments, opening the door for future challenges based on Proposition 218.