CP&DR - Articles

Bill Fulton's Bio

Jun 6, 2007

Monterey County Election Update: No Might Mean Yes

Jun 6, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Environment Watch, General plans, Monterey County, Vol. 20 No. 07 Jul 2005

Monterey County voters rejected a general plan initiative while sending mixed signals on a general plan update adopted by the county. Voters also rejected a 1,100-unit subdivision during a special election on Tuesday.

The "no" side won all four ballot measures, even though two of the no votes conflicted with each other in the contentious and confusing election with a low turnout.

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.

Transit-Oriented High-Rise Project Advances In Union City

Jun 1, 2007

Alameda County, Infill development, Paul Shigley, Public Transit, Redevelopment Watch, TOD, Vol. 22 No. 03 Mar 2007

One of the most ambitious transit-oriented redevelopment projects in the state is taking shape in an unlikely location. Union City, a mostly working-class suburb just north of Fremont in Alameda County, is converting about 175 acres into a dense urban environment surrounding what city planners hope will become a regional transit hub.

Parking Flexibility, Density Improve Infill Feasibility

Jun 1, 2007

Greg Goodfellow, Infill development, Los Angeles County, Research Reports, Vol. 22 No. 03 Mar 2007

The right combination of zoning changes and decreased parking requirements can make infill projects feasible in some of the state's most urban settings. That is the conclusion of Solimar Research Group, which continues to investigate land use options for crowded urban areas.

Show Us The Water, Say Cal Supremes

Jun 1, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Sacramento County, Vol. 22 No. 03 Mar 2007

The water supply analysis for one of the largest housing developments ever approved in the Central Valley has been rejected by the state Supreme Court. The court faulted the water study in the environmental impact report for the 20,000-unit Sunrise-Douglas community plan outside Sacramento because the study did not adequately describe long-term water sources and the impacts of using those sources.

Yuba Highlands Proposal Raises Compatibility, CEQA Issues

May 29, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 06 Jun 2007, Yuba County

A proposal to develop what amounts to a 5,000 housing-unit new town in the foothills of Yuba County is advancing, but the project still faces numerous hurdles.

Internal Error: Tax Sale Of Public Housing Gets Blocked

May 29, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Housing, Legal Digest, Vol. 22 No. 06 Jun 2007

A real estate company's purchase at a tax sale of townhouses owned by the Los Angeles County Housing Authority is not valid, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled.

Chico Subdivision Modifications Don't Qualify As Illegal Exaction

May 29, 2007

Butte County, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Takings, Vol. 22 No. 06 Jun 2007

The apportionment of lots in a subdivision is not an "exaction" under the Mitigation Fee Act, a state appellate court has ruled.

Poway's Mandatory Bond Hearing Fails To Satisfy Appellate Court

May 29, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Housing, Legal Digest, San Diego County, Vol. 22 No. 06 Jun 2007

The City of Poway did not conduct an adequate hearing before issuing tax-exempt bonds for the purchase of a mobile home park, the Fourth District Court of Appeal has ruled.