A lawsuit challenging a Wal-Mart store on the grounds that it would create downtown urban decay was rejected by the Third District Court of Appeal. The court did rule, however, that the Central Valley city of Anderson needed to require additional money to pay for the project's fair-share for improvements to a freeway interchange. >>read more
Orange County's approval of a controversial housing project in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains has been overturned by the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
An appellate court panel has overturned a lower court's decision ordering Community Bank of Central California to return $4.4 million to King City. The city says the money was a deposit, and the city wants the money back. The bank says the money was collateral for a bank loan to the developer of a downtown redevelopment project. Because the developer defaulted on the loan, the bank wants to keep the money. >>read more
Fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision permitting use of eminent domain to aid private development continues to rain down on the state Capitol. With two weeks remaining before the Legislature adjourned, it was unclear whether any eminent domain bill would pass this year. However, lawmakers did ensure that no constitutional amendment limiting eminent domain made the November special election ballot. >>read more
Few housing policies are as inherently controversial as inclusionary zoning - the requirement that market-rate home builders provide a certain percentage (usually 10% to 20%) of their new units for very low-, low- or moderate-income families. Inclusionary zoning is commonly a way that cities and counties propose to meet their fair-share housing requirements. >>read more
After heavy lobbying by the energy industry, the federal government has inserted itself into California's intensifying debate over proposals to build import terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) along the coast. >>read more
The latest news from around the state includes water rights dispute stunting growth around Lake Arrowhead...U.S. District Court judge has ordered two lawyers to pay up for racketeering lawsuit... belated housewarming for new San Jose City Hall...1907 subdivision map validity upheld...EIR released for high-speed rail and more. >>read more
The City of San Jose has adopted a plan that seeks to transform the north end of town from a suburban-style industrial park into a transit-oriented district featuring mid-rise office buildings, tens of thousands of high-density residential units and retail outlets to serve employees and residents. >>read more
The director of the state Department of Conservation has standing to sue a local agency over mining and reclamation plans approved by the local agency, the state Supreme Court has ruled unanimously. The ruling was a clear victory for state enforcement of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA), which regulates all surface mines in California. >>read more
The Second District Court of Appeal has issued another ruling in the long-running controversy over the proposed demolition of a garden apartment complex in Venice. The latest ruling allowed both sides in the debate to claim victory. >>read more
