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. 

Appellate court says overlay zone doesn't meet state's minimum density requirements because underlying zoning allows less -- and as a result discrimination laws were violated as well. 

In a very strongly worded opinion, a Los Angeles appellate court shot down all the neighbors' arguments about an eldercare facility in Pacific Palisades -- and, in the process, reiterated that the role of the courts is to defer to the city’s judgment when substantial evidence exists and not "re-weigh the evidence". 

If upheld on appeal, L.A. judge's ruling could completely upend the way cities interpret the consistence between general plans and zoning.

The justices have taken aim at the "substantive due process" argument -- which landowners have always tried to use to overturn land use decisions they don't like.

The focus on zoning reform in particular could complement California's recent housing production laws.

It ends single-family zoning and clips the wings of local governments. But the bottom line is probably thousands of units, not hundreds of thousands of units.

CP&DR webinar highlights nuts-and-bolts of how cities will deal with eliminating single-family zoning. The panel was co-sponsored by the Terner Center and California APA.

Progressives who have long protected community power over developers are praising Biden's proposed new program, while Republicans are calling it a war on the suburbs.

Council has taken first vote, but it will be several more months at least before the new policy allowing up to four units on every parcel is formally adopted. >>read more