CP&DR -

San Jacinto Corruption Investigation Unfolding

by Paul Shigley on Dec 14, 2009

Corruption, Riverside County, Vol. 24 No. 17 Dec 2009 - 1

At the heart of things, according to county prosecutors, are Councilman Jim Ayers and developers Stephen Holgate and Robert Osborne. Prosecutors say the developers funneled a combined $200,000 in campaign contributions through a variety of intermediaries into Ayers’ unsuccessful 2006 campaign for Assembly and his successful 2008 council re-election bid. >>read more

The Emergence Of 2 Californias

by Paul Shigley on Dec 14, 2009

Vol. 24 No. 17 Dec 2009 - 1

California is often considered to be two different states – north and south. But when it comes to planning and urban development patterns, the state is more properly divided east and west, or possibly inland and coastal. The real estate boom of earlier this decade only exacerbated the differences between coastal cities and inland suburbs. >>read more

Apple Valley Trades General Plan For Stadium

by Paul Shigley on Dec 10, 2009

Arenas, Deals, San Bernardino County, Stadiums, Vol. 24 No. 17 Dec 2009 - 1

The Town of Apple Valley wants to build a minor league baseball stadium. That’s not unusual in California, where stadium building seems only a slice less popular than tailgate parties with free-flowing beer. What is unusual, however, is the way that the town plans to pay– or rather, not pay – for this $20 million to $25 million project. >>read more

Hazards Of The Car Culture

Nov 24, 2009

Which comes first, the car culture, or the infrastructure for cars?

Stewardship Council Created To Manage Delta

Nov 24, 2009

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Vol. 24 No. 16 Nov 2009 - 2

The package of water legislation approved by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger earlier this month may be the most ambitious attempt yet to address the troubled Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. However, the legislation angers and worries many interests in and around the Delta, including local government leaders concerned about their ability to approve development.

Proposed Quarry Is Unwelcome Neighbor In Temecula

Nov 24, 2009

Larry Sokoloff, Local Watch, Parks and open space, Riverside County, Vol. 24 No. 16 Nov 2009 - 2

Residents of the Riverside County city of Temecula, which has been among the state's fastest growing cities for 20 years, have run into some growth they do not want. City leaders and local residents are opposing a proposed quarry located one mile south of the city limits near the San Diego County line.

Grand Jury Indictments Name 4 San Jacinto Councilmen

Nov 24, 2009

Corruption, CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Riverside County, Vol. 24 No. 16 Nov 2009 - 2

News from around the state: A Riverside County grand jury has indicted four San Jacinto councilmen and four people in the development business; San Marcos has adopted a specific plan for a new downtown; Yolo County has completed an ambitious general plan update; and Santa Clara County property owners are letting an open space district keep the proceeds of an illegal tax.

CEQA Challenges To Revenue Measures Rejected

Nov 24, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Santa Barbara County, Vol. 24 No. 16 Nov 2009 - 2

Two separate California Environmental Quality Act lawsuits over unrelated measures that raised revenue for transportation purposes have been thrown out by the state Court of Appeal. One case involved a half-cent sales tax in Santa Barbara County. The other concerned a Los Angeles bus fare increase.

CP&DR Vol 24 No.16 - November 2009

by CP&DR Staff on Nov 23, 2009

Report

Click title to view: CP&DR Vol 24 No.16 - November 2009

Auditor Approves Of HCD Housing Grants

Nov 23, 2009

California, CP&DR Staff, Housing, In Brief, Vol. 24 No. 16 Nov 2009 - 2

A report by the California state auditor gives the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) generally good marks for overseeing nearly $5 billion in bond funds approved by voters.

Air District Rule Not Exempt From CEQA, Court Decides

Nov 23, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, San Bernardino County, Vol. 24 No. 16 Nov 2009 - 2

A state appellate court has struck down a California Environmental Quality Act exemption for an air district rule permitting new power plants to offset emissions by paving roads. The court found that the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District did not have adequate evidence to support its finding that the rule could not have a negative impact on the environment.

EIR Consultant Not Held Liable For Developer's Losses

Nov 23, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Plumas County, Vol. 24 No. 16 Nov 2009 - 2

A developer is not entitled to reimbursement or damages from a consultant hired by a local government to complete an environmental impact report, the First District Court of Appeal has ruled. Even when the consultant fails to complete an EIR in a timely manner, the consultant owes no contractual duty to the developer that paid for the consultant, the court concluded.

The Balancing Act: Reducing Greenhouse Gases While Still Growing

Nov 23, 2009

The Regional Targets Advisory Committee reached agreement on basic principles that the California Air Resources Board should adopt in implementing SB 375 and setting land use/transportation targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. But if a panel discussion at an SB 375 event in Ontario last week is any indication, the individual RTAC members are still having a big of a hard time getting past their own agendas.

Divisions Emerge Over SB 375's Reach

Nov 20, 2009

As the full weight of SB 375 starts to become evident, divisions on the state board charged with implementing the legislation are coming to the forefront. Some members of the Air Resources Board (ARB) are welcoming what they see as an opportunity to overhaul land use planning and remake cities, while others see the state intruding into an area where it is not wanted and has no experience.