News Briefs

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

A Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that recall petitions need not be circulated in multiple languages, while a referendum in SF is declared invalid because it did not contain the entire redevelopment plan. An eminent domain action has been dropped by Yolo County to acquire farmland and open space while in Del mar, after fifteen years of planning, restoration of San Dieguito Lagoon has commenced. >>read more

Two San Bernardino County deals go public while a judge rules their flood control easements no longer exist. In Kern County, a federal court lawsuit stems from banned sewer sludge. Conflict of interest allegations result in the arrest of recalled Murrieta mayor and the firing of Siskiyou County Planning Director. In San Mateo, voters will not decide the fate of Bay Meadow's horsetrack, nor will Monterey County see a referendum of a proposed development in November. >>read more

The housing deficit continues to grow in the Bay Area, which produced only 83% of needed housing units from 1999 through 2005, according to a report by the Bay Area Council. The production of affordable units was even worse, as the nine-county region produced only 42% of the very low-, low- and moderate-income units prescribed in the Association of Bay Area Governments' regional housing needs determination (RHND). >>read more

Endangered species issue complicates development in Coachella Valley, a judge declares the inclusionary housing ordinance unconstitutional in the City of San Diego, and activists halt development in both Pebble Beach and Santa Monica. >>read more

A report on the state's Enterprise Zone Program receives rebuttle while another report indicates California's hazardous waste facilities lack appropriate financial assurances to protect the environment. Also, Mission Viejo is being sued by affordable housing advocates while Carpenteria adopts new, record setting in-lieu affordable housing fees. >>read more

Conflict of interest indictments in Placentia while San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission feels the heat from a grand jury. Also in San Luis Obispo, a developer gets strapped with large "mitigation fee" due to grading an Indian archaeology site. Housing development in San Francisco could slow while Sierra Nevada Conservancy releases strategic plan for preservation. >> read more

Some San Bernardino cities will receive more tax revenue from the county while Encinitas property owners vote down a stormwater runoff tax. The new Monterey County general plan still mired in battle over ballot intiative and San Jose and Santa Clarita each lose court battles. Moorpark voters reject a proposed subdivision while Riverside culls 600 acres from redevelopment project. To county officials' dismay, Marin County will get a new death row. >>read more

A groundbreaking property rights initiative is upheld in Oregon while Chula Vistans will vote on an eminent domain limiting amendment. Three redevelopment agencies are being investigated by the state attorney general for potential violations. Western Riverside COG increases its development mitigation fee while the Environmental Protection Agency releases a "smart growth" report. And, finally, the Department of Water Resources has adopted a new California Water Plan. >>read more

Davis adopts inclusionary housing ordinance for moderate incomes. San Diego considers military land for airport and selects proposal for port redevelopment. Los Angeles settles airport controversy while a county planner is sentenced to jail. Santa Clarita votes on open space and continues 15-year fight over a quarry. >>read more