CP&DR

Can Growth Control Escape Fiscal and Economic Pressures?

by CP&DR Staff on Mar 23, 2007

Juliet Muso, Pascale Joassart-Marcelli, Report, William Fulton

The last two decades have witnessed a rapid increase in state and local government activities intended to influence future physical development within their jurisdiction. But nowhere has this growth management movement been as widespread as in California. >>read more

De-malling Movement Turns White Elephants Into Urban Centers

Mar 1, 2004

Insight, Vol. 19 No. 03 Mar 2004, William Fulton

In his definitive book, City Center to Regional Mall, urban historian Richard Longstreth points out that in 1960, Southern California had 14 regional malls, located mostly in the southern L.A. County and northern Orange County suburbs that were emerging at the time. Although similar at the time, those malls have evolved greatly.

New State Growth Policies Could Accompany a New Governor

Sep 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 09 Sep 2003, William Fulton

It's perhaps premature to ask what changes smut peddler Larry Flynt would make to the General Plan Guidelines, or where buxom billboard celebrity Angelyne stands on the latest wrinkles in the California Environmental Quality Act. But with the recall election only a month away -- and two statewide propositions on the special ballot along with the recall -- it's not too early to speculate on how the whole October 7 circus will affect the world of planning and development in California.

Governor's Bypass of Transit, Highway Planning Scheme Crashes

Aug 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 08 Aug 2003, William Fulton

Three years ago — back when California had money — Gov. Gray Davis came up with a clever idea to push more money into transportation projects in a way that would benefit his core political constituencies without raising taxes. Today, Davis's Transportation Congestion Relief Program appears to be self-destructing, along with the entire system of funding state transportation projects.

Zoning, Liability And Even Planners Inhibit Buildout Of Plans

Jul 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 07 Jul 2003, William Fulton

"Buildout" is a funny term. It is the word that most planners use to describe what their town would look like once everything that is called for in the general plan has been built. In today's world, buildout is easily quantified. Most cities and counties can point to their general plan and identify precisely how many houses and how many square feet of commercial and industrial space buildout involves. In California, where the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is always bird-dogging loc

Property Rights Proponents Taking Their Case Right To Voters

Jun 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 06 Jun 2003, William Fulton

At last, a property rights ballot initiative is making the rounds in California. But the initiative begs the question: Is there still a property rights movement in this state?

Large Projects Induce Big Dreams For Developers, Environmentalists

May 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003, William Fulton

California is a state characterized by big development projects. Some get built, and some don't. But simply the proposal of a huge project can be enough to start a political movement.

Housing Allocation Process Demands Overhaul, But Ideas Are Missing

Apr 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 04 Apr 2003, William Fulton

If ever there were a year that would seem ripe for housing element reform, it's 2003. Yet there is little discussion of comprehensive reform, nor even much active discussion on whether to move forward into the next cycle of RHNAs and housing element updates in 2005.

Despite Economic Slowdown, Housing Impact Fees Continue To Rise

Mar 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 03 Mar 2003, William Fulton

Supposedly we're in an economic downtown, which, if past behavior of local officials in California is any indication, ought to mean that development impact fees are heading south. After all, high fees often become a scapegoat in a down economy, and lowering those fees is often touted as a way to stimulate an economic recovery. But that is not happening. Throughout California, fees are not going down. They're going up.

Bush Administration's Regulatory Rollbacks Could Destruct State-Federal Cooperation

Feb 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 02 Feb 2003, William Fulton

Apparently emboldened by political success in the mid-term election, the Bush administration has become more aggressive in its efforts to alter strict Clinton-era environmental protection policies. In California, strong state laws — and a political scene still dominated by Democrats — could hold the line on many issues, especially protection of wetlands and endangered species. But on issues in which active federal involvement is crucial, such as water and public lands policy, a major conflict could be aris

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