News Briefs

Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins has gotten to Governor Brown's desk with a new version of a bill to smooth recurring problems in the dissolution of local redevelopment agencies. A statement from Atkins' office said the bill is similar to last year's AB 662 but drops a provision on amendments to project contracts that led Brown to veto it. The revised bill contains continuity provisions that would allow projects begun under redevelopment agencies to be carried forward. >>read more

Less than a day before trial, the California High-Speed Rail Authority and Madera/Fresno farming organizations announced they had reached a settlement -- dissolving the last legal challenge to the first segment of California's HSR. According to Anja Raudabaugh, executive director of the Madera Farm Bureau, the rail authority offered significant concessions including increased mitigation for agricultural impacts and compensation for landowners who are affected by the project.

The Los Angeles City Council has approved initial plans to create a new Economic Development Department (EDD). City officials hope that the new department, which will work alongside a nonprofit economic development corporation, can serve to replace the now defunct Community Redevelopment Agency.

The Coalition for Responsible Arena Development filed a notice of intent to bring a lawsuit against the proposed downtown arena in Sacramento. The group opposing the proposed development claims that the project violates CEQA and is a misuse of public funds.

The Capitol Area Development Agency (CADA) was seemingly exempt from the dissolution of redevelopment agencies last year. However, in the face of state budget cuts, officials plan to cease the agency's development operations and sell off its properties to subsidize the state budget. CADA still hopes to retain its role in supporting development and managing affordable housing projects. 

Even if they disagree with each other sometimes, state and local officials are trying to make it easier to get development projects through the CEQA process. Jerry Brown recently used his 2011 CEQA reforms to get a solar project approved in Riverside County. Meanwhile, Fresno County streamlined its CEQA process even as Brown has attempted to intervene in disputes between Fresno city, the county, and Madera County over greenfield development. >>read more

Cordova Hills project approved by Sacramento County

Fanning fears that the Sacramento Region won't be able to meet SB 375 emissions reduction standards, Sacramento County supervisors have approved the sprawling South County Cordova Hills project. 

Lots going on in California planning and development this week ... 

Central Valley's Growth War Gets the Governor's Attention

Fresno Bee

Post-redevelopment plans for downtown San Diego

The San Diego Foundation is teaming up with the Downtown San Diego Partnership business group to frame a  new vision for San Diego's downtown. With the end of redevelopment agencies in the state, San Diego can no longer depend on the $125 million dollars a year to subsidize these types of projects. 

Monterey County General Plan faces voter approval, a controversial Carmel Valley subdivision is back in court after EIR rejection 6 years ago, flood control in Sacramento continues to evolve, and dry cleaners in San Francisco pay for brownfeild clean up. >>read more

Flood control affects development in both the City of Sacramento and San Bernardino County, the City of Lynwood gets an F on their audit by the state Department of Housing and Community Development, and water once again flows through the Lower Owens River. >>read more

Orange County has approved the "preliminary master plan" for Great Park and Gov. Schwarzenegger has renewed all 23 expiring Enterprise Zones. In El Dorado County, the revised EIR for a new Highway 50 freeway interchange has been upheld while the EIR for the Salton Sea offers 10 alternatives for the lake's future. >>read more

The Governor signs some land use legislation, the House passes bill in favor of property owners, and a Superior Court Judge throws out environmentalist's case against windmills. Glendora says no to new housing development and a golf course while El Dorado County reaches a compromise to allow the construction of an Indian casino. >>read more

The Bush administration brought its efforts to change environmental regulations to California in September, when high-ranking appointees conducted "listening sessions" in Redding and Colton - two of 24 informal hearings across the country intended to carry out a 2004 executive order calling for "cooperative conservation." >>read more