A dispute from the Livermore area suggests that general plan designations and zoning ordinances have not kept pace with renewable energy advances -- leading to interpretation disputes. In Livermore, the courts have sided with public agency interpretations and against environmentalists opposed to a solar project. 

Among other things, the appellate ruling found that Livermore's design standards are not objective and therefore cannot be used to deny an affordable housing project.

100% affordable project can't be struck down based on subjective standards or lack of strict adherence to specific plan policies. CEQA exemption based on Downtown Specific Plan was also upheld.

An appellate court says yes -- if funding sources are available, even if it's unlikely that the landowner is willing to sell.

Death of BART extension has forced the East Bay city to rethink how it is going to grow -- and plan around Valley Link instead. >>read more