CP&DR - Articles

City Permitted To Reject Potentially Feasible Project Alternatives

Oct 7, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Santa Cruz County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

A city may determine that project alternatives once considered potentially feasible for California Environmental Quality Act analysis are infeasible as actual projects, the Sixth District Court of Appeal has ruled.

Disapproved Project Doesn't Need EIR, Court Rules

Oct 7, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

The City of Los Angeles had no obligation under the California Environmental Quality Act to complete an environmental impact report for a project that it had rejected, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled.

The court dismissed all arguments put forward by the developer of the 555-acre Las Lomas project at the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 14. "[I]f an agency at any time decides not to proceed with a project," the court said, "CEQA is inapplicable from that time forward."

In Brief: Elusive Los Osos Wastewater Project Advances

Oct 6, 2009

CP&DR Staff, In Brief, San Luis Obispo County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

News from around the state: A wastewater collection system and treatment plant for the Central Coast town of Los Osos has been approved for a second time, which could end a 21-year-old building moratorium; an appellate court has upheld a 1,200% development fee hike in Manteca despite development agreements; the state has dropped an appeal of a judge's ruling blocking a shift of redevelopment tax increment from local redevelopment agencies to schools.

Football Stadium Lawsuit Settled

Oct 6, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

Forced into negotiations by the state Legislature, the City of Walnut has dropped its lawsuit contesting the adequacy of an environmental impact report for a proposed professional football stadium and 3 million-square-foot entertainment complex in the neighboring City of Industry.

First Opinion Published On CEQA Energy Analysis

Oct 5, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, San Joaquin County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

A city may determine that a project has no significant effects on energy consumption if it exceeds the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, the Third District Court of Appeal has ruled. The ruling appears to be the first on an environmental impact report's analysis of how a project might affect energy use, an area of the California Environmental Quality Act receiving increased attention because of concerns about climate change.

UCLA Ext: California Water Projects and Urban Water Supplies: Environmental Compliance Requirements and Practical Approaches

Oct 5, 2009

UCLA Ext: Special Event: Planning for Age-Integrated Communities

Oct 5, 2009

Land Use, Water Bills Stall In Legislature

Sep 21, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2

State lawmakers wrapped up the first year of their two-year session without taking action on numerous bills regarding land use planning, development and natural resources. But some of the legislation could receive consideration before the end of the month because lawmakers are likely to return for special sessions called by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

The Legislature passed bills that would require fire safety to be a larger factor in land use planning, allow farmworker housing to be built on agricultural land and give local government the authority to limit the conversion of mobile home parks to resident-owned condominiums. Schwarzenegger has until October 11 to sign or veto the bills.

In Brief: Sonoma County Abandons Russian River Water Plan

Sep 18, 2009

CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Sonoma County, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2, Water

News from around the state: Sonoma County drops plans to take more water from the Russian River, angering cities; CSU Monterey Bay agrees to mitigate some of its off-campus impacts; Lake County may get a fourth Indian casino.

Federal Climate Legislation May Complement State Efforts

Sep 18, 2009

Climate change, Environment Watch, Josh Stephens, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2

With the election of President Obama and the emergence of a Democratic majority in Congress, it appears that the federal government may soon pass sweeping legislation to address greenhouse gas emissions. Based on a preponderance of research linking greenhouse gas emissions to urban sprawl and reliance on automobiles, a national program may usher in the next great trend in urban planning. If so, California may find itself well ahead of its fellow states.

Controversial Bottling Plant Proposal Dropped

Sep 18, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Siskiyou County, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2

A project that had become a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lightning rod has apparently died. Nestlé Waters North America notified the McCloud Community Services District that it is dropping plans to convert a closed lumber mill in Siskiyou County into a water-bottling plant because it is building the facility in Sacramento instead.

9th Circuit Reinstates Kern County Sludge Ban

Sep 18, 2009

Initiatives and referendums, Kern County, Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2

A Kern County voter initiative prohibiting the disposal of sewage sludge on fields in the county has new life. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a federal District Court judge's ruling that the initiative violated the United States constitution's commerce clause.

Quarry Village: Suburban Life Without Cars

Sep 9, 2009

Alameda County, Infill development, Morris Newman, Places, Vol. 24 No. 11 Sep 2009 - 1

Something seems to be missing from the site plan for Quarry Village, a 42-acre proposed housing development in Hayward. Here are orderly rows of streets, a scattering of small parks and a "village center" for neighborhood-scale retail. The 950 housing units are made up entirely of three-story townhouses, arranged in rows of four and six units. What's missing? Garages.

Fire-Safety Planning Legislation Advances

Sep 2, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 11 Sep 2009 - 1

Two bills that would require greater consideration of fire safety in land use planning appear likely to reach the governor's desk before the Legislature recesses its regular session on September 11. Moreover, a late move to link the fire planning bills to disaster relief legislation could increase the chances that Gov. Schwarzenegger will actually sign the bills.