CP&DR -

UCLA Ext Sustainability: Global Sustainability Certificate

Aug 11, 2009

CDC Lends Support To Healthy Design Movement

Aug 5, 2009

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control says that planning may play a significant role in reducing the obesity epidemic in the United States. The report, which compiles numerous research studies and recommendations of experts, provides additional scientific backing for the healthy design movement that has started to gain traction during recent years.

The report recommends 24 community strategies to prevent obesity, ranging from school lunch improvements, educational programs and breastfeeding support to mixed-use zoning and better pedestrian facilities.

State Budget Clouds Redevelopment's Future

Aug 4, 2009

Will redevelopment mean anything once the dust settles on California's budget crisis?

Last month's state budget deal attempts to whack redevelopment agencies to the tune of $2.05 billion. The redevelopment agencies are suing, claiming it's an unconstitutional shift of funds. This is nothing new; last year, the state attempted to take $350 million, and the redevelopment agencies successfully sued to block the revenue shift.

CP&DR Vol 24 No.9 - August 2009

by CP&DR Staff on Jul 30, 2009

Report

Click title to view: CP&DR Vol 24 No.9 - August 2009

State Takes $2 Billion From Redevelopment

Jul 30, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Redevelopment, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

By shifting $1.7 billion from redevelopment agencies to state programs and schools, the state budget signed this week by Gov. Schwarzenegger could halt numerous redevelopment projects for years to come, according to the agencies and housing proponents. The tax increment shift could also mean the end for some redevelopment agencies.

Sotomayor's Light Record On Property Matters Creates Uncertainty

Jul 30, 2009

Insight, Takings, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1, William Fulton

The conventional wisdom is that Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court doesn't make a whole lot of difference, because there's not much meaningful ideological distance between her and her predecessor, Justice David Souter. So, the party line goes, the court will still be stuck in the familiar 5-4 or 4-5 split, depending on how Justice Anthony Kennedy is feeling that day. But there's a debate brewing as to whether that's really the case in land use and property rights law.

In Brief: 2-Year Subdivision Map Extension Approved

Jul 30, 2009

California, CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Subdivision Map Act, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

In the latest roundup of California land use news: The governor signs urgency legislation extending the life of all tentative subdivision maps by two years; the Los Angeles MTA approves its first congestion pricing project; a Desert Hot Springs development dream becomes species habitat instead; a developer takes its case directly to Mendocino County voters.

OC Planning Department In 'Critical Condition'

Jul 30, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Orange County, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

Orange County's Planning & Development Services department "is in critical condition," according to an internal county audit released in late July.

Farmland Disappears At Record Pace

Jul 30, 2009

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

California's farm and grazing lands decreased by 275 square miles from mid-2004 through mid-2006, according to the state Department of Conservation. A total of 81,000 acres of prime farmland were lost to urban development or other changes, the greatest decrease in prime farmland since the state started the farmland mapping and monitoring program in 1984.

Governor's Blue Pencil Strikes At Climate Change Efforts

Jul 29, 2009

Gov. Schwarzenegger's last-minute decision to eliminate Williamson Act subventions is another example of how the state's spending decisions run counter to its greenhouse gas emissions-reduction goals.

I know, the budget signed on Tuesday does not match many of the state's alleged policy goals. But I find the continual undercutting of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions policy to be particularly galling because the governor and other state leaders have been so quick to take credit for being climate change warriors.

State Funding Doesn't Match GHG Goals, Committee Says

Jul 29, 2009

California, Climate change, Environment Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

California's continuing budget woes, coupled with the nation's stubborn recession, could hinder the state's ability to meet its ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. This is one of the chief concerns of the Regional Targets Advisory Committee, which will recommend how the California Air Resources Board should allocate greenhouse gas emissions-reduction targets among the state's metropolitan planning organizations.

Environmental Groups Excluded From Rancho Cucamonga Preserve

Jul 29, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Habitat conservation planning, Legal Digest, San Bernardino County, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

Two environmental groups that sued the City of Rancho Cucamonga and developers to gain ownership of 86 acres of habitat mitigation land have failed to persuade an appellate court to reverse a devastating lower court ruling.The Fourth District Court of Appeal rejected the argument put forth by The Habitat Trust for Wildlife and Spirit of the Sage Council that the city, developers and San Bernardino County had collaborated to deny the environmental groups' right to own the property.

State's High Court To Review Another Prop 218 Controversy

Jul 29, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Local government finance, Marin County, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

The California Supreme Court has taken up another Proposition 218 case. This one involves voter secrecy in fee elections.

Public Officials Win Attorney Fees For Suing Own Board

Jul 23, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Orange County, Parks and open space, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

Two members of the board overseeing the Orange County Great Park who sued the public agency over access to executive recruitment information should have their attorney fees paid, the Fourth District Court of Appeal has ruled.