CP&DR - Articles

White House Task Force Pursuses ‘Modernization'

Nov 1, 2002

Environment Watch, John Krist, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

In his first official act of 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) into law. The symbolism is obvious: The 1970s marked a watershed in the federal government's approach to the environment, and NEPA did more than any other single piece of legislation enacted during that decade to reshape the relationship between Americans and their air, water and land.

Riverside Builds Downtown Plan on History and Culture

Nov 1, 2002

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

Riverside is pegging its hopes for downtown revitalization to the arts, historic preservation and even an infusion of University of California students.

Governor Signs Housing Bills, Rail Bond

Nov 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

Gov. Gray Davis completed the 2001-02 legislative session by signing several bills backed by affordable housing advocates, a coastal access bill opposed by some of his friends, and a bill that takes a modest step toward more coordinated state planning.

2002 Land Use Legislation Round-Up

Nov 1, 2002

other, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

Sidebar to the featured story in the Novermber 2002 edition of CP&DR, "Governor Signs Housing Bills, Rail Bond."

Central Valley Cities Have Mixed Record on Farmland Protection

Nov 1, 2002

Erik Kancler, Research Reports, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

Although there are many tactics used to control growth, ultimately, there is only one measure of importance in protecting farmland: efficient urban land use. In examining four communities in the Central Valley, we found large disparities in land use efficiency.

SF Redevelopment Project Survives CEQA, Blight Challenges

Nov 1, 2002

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

In a case that touched on redevelopment law, the California Environmental Quality Act and general plan compatibility, an appellate court has upheld San Francisco's handling of a project on the site of the historic Emporium department store.

Court Rules Builders Four Applications Should Be Reviewed as One Project

Nov 1, 2002

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

The City of Los Angeles was correct to treat as one project a builder's various proposals for 21 new houses on existing parcels on two streets, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled. The court rejected the builder's contention that the city could not demand an environmental impact report on the 21 houses, five of which have already been built.

Project Opponents Had 180 Days to Sue Regarding Lack of Analysis

Nov 1, 2002

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

Opponents of a proposed recycling center were too late in filing a lawsuit regarding a city's failure to prepare an environmental study on the city's sale of land to the recycling company, the Fourth District Court of Appeal has ruled.

Owner of Longtime Water Right Can't Avoid Fish and Game Statute

Nov 1, 2002

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

The owner of appropriative water rights to a creek cannot exercise those rights in violation of state regulations intended to protect fish and wildlife, the Third District Court of Appeal has decided.

Court Overturns Property Valuation Because of Trial Judge's Mistakes

Nov 1, 2002

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

When a public agency acquires a property via eminent domain, only a trial court judge -- and not a jury -- can decide whether a business should receive compensation for loss of goodwill, a state appellate court has ruled.

Court Upholds Off-Site Mitigation Deal for Impact of New Houses

Nov 1, 2002

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002

The California Coastal Commission's decision to allow Malibu property owners who are building new houses to exchange existing public view corridors on their property for dedication of an off-site public access to the beach has been upheld by the Second District Court of Appeal.

Water District Tries Natural Approach to Treating Urban Runoff

Oct 1, 2002

Environment Watch, John Krist, Vol. 17 No. 10 Oct 2002

In the years following passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972, counties and cities across the country found themselves forced to comply with restrictions on the release of municipal sewage and industrial waste. For the most part, they accomplished this by cracking down on polluting factories and by investing billions of dollars in advanced mechanical filtration and chemical disinfectant technology.

Land Use Election Activity Evinces State's East-West Division

Oct 1, 2002

Insight, Vol. 17 No. 10 Oct 2002, William Fulton

Over the years, there has been quite a bit of talk about splitting California into two states. The idea is that Northern California and Southern California do not have a lot in common and should not have much to do with each other. The idea has not gotten much of anywhere. But maybe that's because the reality is somewhat different than people's perception. Maybe California is divided into West and East.

Housing Proposal Forces Tough Choices on Green City

by Paul Shigley on Oct 1, 2002

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 10 Oct 2002

Conflict over a proposed housing project in the Sonoma County city of Sebastopol offers proof of just how politically difficult infill development can be.