CP&DR - Articles

SFO Gets BART, But New Runways Are Unlikely

Jun 1, 2003

BART, Larry Sokoloff, Public Development, Public Transit, Vol. 18 No. 06 Jun 2003

San Francisco International Airport officials will celebrate the opening of a new Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train connection this month while lamenting the delay of an unrelated plan to expand runways.

Large Projects Induce Big Dreams For Developers, Environmentalists

May 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003, William Fulton

California is a state characterized by big development projects. Some get built, and some don't. But simply the proposal of a huge project can be enough to start a political movement.

Salton Sea Pieces Missing From Water Transfer Puzzle

May 1, 2003

Environment Watch, John Krist, Salton Sea , Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

Throughout the high-stakes poker game that coastal cities and a giant irrigation district have been playing for the past seven years in the California desert ï¿½ with a rich pot of Colorado River water the prize ï¿½ the Salton Sea has been a peripheral presence, like a high-roller's mistress standing just outside the glare of the lights. But events earlier this year suggest that the ecologically ailing drainage sump at the heart of the Imperial Valley has really been manipulating the game all along.

State Commerce Agency's Budget, Programs Land On Chopping Block

May 1, 2003

Economic Development, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

Despite a sluggish California economy, the state agency charged with business development and job creation appears to be in for a substantial downsizing.

Would-Be Developer's Lawsuit Against SD Port District Is Ruled A SLAPP

May 1, 2003

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

A developer's lawsuit that claimed the San Diego Unified Port District and one of its commissioners conspired to kill the developer's proposed waterfront project has been thrown out as a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP).

Special Master's Termination From Union City Redevelopment Project Upheld

May 1, 2003

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court's decision to remove a special master who had been appointed to oversee redevelopment of an industrial site in Union City. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also upheld a court order capping the former special master's compensation and ordering him to repay $113,000.

Cal Supremes Return Water Treatment Plant Case To Appellate Court

May 1, 2003

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

A 2002 appellate court decision that subjected a proposed water treatment plant to local zoning and building ordinances appears to be on shaky ground.

El Toro Auction Offers Something For Everyone

May 1, 2003

Deals, Military base reuse, Morris Newman, Orange County, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

While it might be hard to convince some of my left-leaning brethren of the case, the forthcoming auction of El Toro will likely benefit the local community, the military and private business, in that order. The City of Irvine, not known to be a pushover on matters relating to the former Marine Corps base, seems just short of ecstatic about the arrangement.

Bonds, Taxes Proposed To Fund Public Facilities

May 1, 2003

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

Major efforts are under way to provide money to upgrade and expand infrastructure in California, but even some backers of the funding proposals appear skeptical that state lawmakers will approve anything major this year. There are two approaches in Sacramento these days. One would make it easier for local government to raise revenue by reducing the two-thirds voter requirement for special taxes and local bonds. The second approach relies on state bonds.

Report Urges Cities To Overhaul Approach To Zoning

May 1, 2003

CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

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.

East Bay County, Cities Try To Think Regionally, Act Locally

May 1, 2003

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

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.

State Supreme Court To Review Coastal Commission's Constitutionality

May 1, 2003

Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

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.

Wasco Development Agreement Dispute Returns To Trial Court

May 1, 2003

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

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.

AG Says City Can Regulate Boarding Houses In R-1 Zone

May 1, 2003

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Vol. 18 No. 05 May 2003

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.