CP&DR

Cal Supremes Rule 'Quick Take' Doesn't Violate Constitution

Jun 6, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Eminent domain, Legal Digest, Riverside County, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

The California Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the state's "quick take" eminent domain process in which a public agency may take ownership of a property before a trial on final compensation for the property owner.

Lawsuit Over Assessment District Subjected To Validation Procedures

Jun 6, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Local government finance, Marin County, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

An appellate court has thrown out a property owners' lawsuit claiming that the Town of Tiburon's special assessment to pay for undergrounding utilities violated Proposition 218. The court ruled that the lawsuit was actually a "reverse validation action," and that the property owners failed to meet procedural deadlines.

Supreme Court Taking Decision Doesn't Aid Mobile Home Park Owners

Jun 6, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Takings, Ventura County, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

Lead Agency's Environmental Review Not Subject To Challenge, Court Rules

Jun 5, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Monterey County, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

The opponent of a proposed house on the Big Sur coast cannot challenge Monterey County's environmental review of the project because the Coastal Commission provided the ultimate decision on the project, the Sixth District Court of Appeal has ruled.

Courts Wrestle With Definition Of 'Project' Under CEQA

Jun 5, 2007

California, California Environmental Quality Act, Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

California courts are increasingly active in trying to clarify the question of when a government action becomes a "project" under the California Environmental Quality Act. Three recent appellate court rulings have turned on the answer to this question, and a fourth case involving a project definition is pending before the California Supreme Court. So far, however, the resulting picture is less than clear.

Placer County Conservation Plan Approved, But Questions Linger

Jun 5, 2007

Environment Watch, Habitat conservation planning, Larry Sokoloff, Placer County, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

Placer County is finalizing its first land conservation plan, designed to keep 60,000 acres from being developed in the rapidly-growing region northeast of Sacramento. An initial conservation map for the western part of Placer County was adopted by the Board of Supervisors during late January, and a final map could be approved later this year.

Disney Fights Anaheim Housing

Jun 5, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, Housing, In Brief, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

Disney continues fight against housing project in Anaheim's resort district; the League of California Cities proposes eminent domain reform; San Francisco limits residential demolitions; Stanislaus County picks a base reuse developer; Solana Beach voters limit monster houses; HCD questions Alhambra Redevelopment Agency; Carmel Valley sues LAFCO.

Familiar Bills Return In Sacramento

Jun 5, 2007

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

With the passage of $42 billion in bonds last November, infrastructure spending has risen to the top of the state Legislature's agenda. More than 60 bills attempt to allocate portions of the money or establish criteria for spending the funds, according to the California Budget Project. Still, there is plenty of legislative activity surrounding other planning and development staples, including housing, the California Environmental Quality Act, flood control and economic development.

Plan Would Turn L.A. River Green

May 8, 2007

Los Angeles County, Morris Newman, Parks and open space, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

It may not be the parting of the Red Sea, but the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan is miracle enough. Sponsored by the Los Angeles River Committee of the Los Angeles City Council, the revitalization master plan may be the corner-turning event that actually kicks off the process of making a depressing culvert into a riparian green belt, studded with neighborhood parks, including several in the city's poorest neighborhoods.

Freeways Take Right-Of-Way For Transportation Funding

May 7, 2007

California, Paul Shigley, Public Development, Transportation, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

If anything has become clear during the months since voters approved a $19.9 billion transportation bond last November, it's that freeways are still king. The first $4.5 billion allocated by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) was aimed solely at roads, mostly for expanding freeway capacity. Another $3 billion for pavement — including $1 billion for Highway 99 — is scheduled for allocation by June.