A report prepared by a group of New Urbanist planners for the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) recommends that cities and counties adopt form-based codes to govern development. The report knocks typical zoning codes, which are based on land uses. The authors contend this type of zoning has led to 50 years of suburban-style development, which has caused people to rebel against growth.

Contra Costa County and its 19 cities are considering a "growth management compact" for the next 20 to 30 years that emphasizes efficient development patterns, redevelopment and improved job distribution. The proposed compact — important components of which remain unsettled — is a key part of "Shaping Our Future," a multi-agency effort to address growth, conservation and transportation on a regional basis.

The state Supreme Court appears to be ready to undertake a sweeping review of the California Coastal Commission's makeup and its permitting activities — possibly even permits issued long ago. The court decided in April to review a case in which the Third District Court of Appeal ruled that the method of appointing the Coastal Commission violated the separation of powers doctrine.

A developer's lawsuit alleging that the City of Wasco breached a development agreement by withdrawing funding for infrastructure is not subject to the statute of limitations in the Subdivision Map Act, the Fifth District Court of Appeal has ruled. The court ruled that the dispute was over an interpretation of the development agreement, which was not an action arising out of the Subdivision Map Act.

A city may prohibit or regulate a boarding house with at least three tenants in a low-density residential zone, according to a state Attorney General's opinion. "[P]reserving the residential character of a neighborhood is a legitimate government purpose that may be reasonably achieved by prohibiting commercial enterprises such as operating a boarding house business," Deputy Attorney General Anthony DaVigo wrote.

As California's population continues to grow, portions of the state are undergoing the process of urbanization. Although it might appear simple to determine what land is urban and what is not, different interpretations of "urban" can complicate discussions of farmland preservation, development patterns, placement of infrastructure and other issues.

If ever there were a year that would seem ripe for housing element reform, it's 2003. Yet there is little discussion of comprehensive reform, nor even much active discussion on whether to move forward into the next cycle of RHNAs and housing element updates in 2005.

Spurred by several pieces of legislation approved during the last few years, California's state government agencies are gradually making advances in environmental justice.

Since 1996, California voters have approved $11.1 billion worth of resource bonds. However, tracking how that money has been spent, how the remainder is proposed to be allocated — and even determining how much money is available — have proven tricky.

A takings lawsuit by Lake Tahoe area property owners against the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has been tossed out by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals because the court had already ruled on the matter.

Placer County did not violate state law by including two projects in one environmental impact report, the Third District Court of Appeal has ruled. The county did not abuse it discretion by covering a 31-lot subdivision and a large church — which started out as two parts of the same project — in one EIR, the court held.

The state Supreme Court will review a case involving the awarding of attorneys' fees in a CEQA lawsuit.

From a distance, the Gaia Cultural Center in Berkeley does not appear to be an unusual building. But up close, we see it is no ordinary building.

Although Sacramento is short of money these days, the state capital does not lack for policy initiatives that directly or indirectly affect land use. In fact, veteran lobbyists say they can remember few years when legislators introduced so many policy bills.