Central Valley
Social Justice Advocates Make Case For Annexation
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 9 November 2009 - 3:36pmThe Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has given new life to a lawsuit alleging that the City of Modesto and Stanislaus County discriminated against four predominately Latino communities.
In Brief: Central Valley Economy Continues To Suffer
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 9 November 2009 - 1:59pmNews from around the state: Already a very poor region, the Central Valley's problems have become worse because of the recession; two Sacramento planning department have been put on leave because of a building permit scandal; the California Redevelopment Association has sued the state for taking $2 billion of tax increment; federal agencies agree to speed the review of new electricity transmission corridors.
San Joaquin Valley Leaders Adopt Regional Blueprint
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 21 April 2009 - 2:16pmA regional panel of elected officials in the San Joaquin Valley has approved a growth blueprint that calls for increased housing densities in the eight-county region. In approving a plan for a new housing density of 6.8 units per acre for the region, the San Joaquin Valley Policy Council rejected an alternative of 10 units per acre that would have preserved more farmland and cut forecast greenhouse gas emissions.
Air District's Dairy Rules Rejected For Lack Of Public Health Analysis
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 30 January 2009 - 11:13amA San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District permitting process for dairies has been rejected by the Fifth District Court of Appeal because the district did not conduct an adequate assessment of public health impacts.
Despite Obstacles, More Sacramento Exurban Growth Is In Pipeline
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 5 September 2008 - 12:49pmDespite high gasoline prices, concern over greenhouse gas emissions, a dismal housing market and a renowned “smart growth” regional planning blueprint, a whole new phase of exurbs is being planned north of Sacramento.
Farmland Mitigation Takes Root
Submitted by Bill Fulton on 29 May 2007 - 11:47amLocal governments in the Central Valley are starting to adopt policies that require developers to mitigate the conversion of farmland to urban uses, primarily by acquiring agricultural easements or paying in-lieu fees. San Joaquin County has become a hotbed for the new policies, and farmland advocates are hoping to export those policies to other places.
Madera County New Town Advances, But Litigation Nears
Submitted by importer on 1 May 2004 - 12:00amA long-proposed new town in Madera County, north of Fresno, appears to be inching closer to reality. This month, the Madera County Board of Supervisors expects to give final approval to the 1,800-acre River Ranch Estates, a proposed housing subdivision within a designated 15,000-acre growth area known as Rio Mesa.