CP&DR

Climate Change Adaptation Recommendations Result In Same Old Fight

Nov 9, 2009

California, Climate change, Insight, Vol. 24 No. 15 Nov 2009 - 1, William Fulton

If predictions about the impact of global warming are even half right, a lot of us are going to be quite literally swimming – or at least wading – through our daily lives in 30 or 40 years. Yet in the current debate about how the state should approach "adaptation" strategies, all parties are crouched in their typically unhelpful postures.

CEQA Guidelines Changes Downplay Automobiles

Nov 9, 2009

California, California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Vol. 24 No. 15 Nov 2009 - 1

The Natural Resources Agency has altered proposed amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. The changes appear to shift the focus of environmental analysis away from a project's effects on automobile traffic and toward impact on the overall transportation system.

Election Update: Slow Growthers Win In Davis, Mendocino County

Nov 4, 2009

California, CP&DR Staff, Elections, Initiatives and referendums

Slow-growth advocates won major victories in November 3 local elections when voters rejected a housing project in Davis and a shopping center in Mendocino County, as well as sewer extensions in Modesto.

But slow-growth forces suffered some unexpected losses. In Santa Barbara and Ventura, two cities with a history of voter-controlled development, initiatives that would have imposed strict height limits on new buildings were rejected. In the Bay Area, Walnut Creek voters approved amended parking standards necessary for the construction of a Neiman Marcus store downtown.

Stadium Bill Approved; Vetoes Kill Other Legislation

Oct 22, 2009

California, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 14 Oct 2009 - 2

State lawmakers have approved a bill that would exempt a proposed football stadium in the City of Industry from having to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, as well as state planning and zoning law. While Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed the stadium bill, he has vetoed some of the year's most significant land use bills. Among them: two fire-safety planning bills; legislation funding regional and local planning; and a bill giving local government more authority over the conversion of mobile home parks to condominiums.

Decision Time Nears For Local Initiatives

Oct 22, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Initiatives and referendums, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 14 Oct 2009 - 2

Formation of new cities, building-height limits in Santa Barbara and Ventura, and a developer-written specific plan for a vacant industrial site near Ukiah are among the land use proposals up for a vote in the November 3 municipal elections. At least 21 measures with land use implications are on the ballot in 12 different California jurisdictions.

Panel Urges More Work Before Regional GHG Targets Set

Oct 7, 2009

California, Climate change, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

A committee of experts appointed by the California Air Resources Board should come up with a list of best management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by new development by January 2010. The practices, combined with estimates of future transportation demand, should provide the basis for the board to establish regional targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions later in 2010, according to the advisory committee.

Land Use, Water Bills Stall In Legislature

Sep 21, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2

State lawmakers wrapped up the first year of their two-year session without taking action on numerous bills regarding land use planning, development and natural resources. But some of the legislation could receive consideration before the end of the month because lawmakers are likely to return for special sessions called by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

The Legislature passed bills that would require fire safety to be a larger factor in land use planning, allow farmworker housing to be built on agricultural land and give local government the authority to limit the conversion of mobile home parks to resident-owned condominiums. Schwarzenegger has until October 11 to sign or veto the bills.

Fire-Safety Planning Legislation Advances

Sep 2, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 11 Sep 2009 - 1

Two bills that would require greater consideration of fire safety in land use planning appear likely to reach the governor's desk before the Legislature recesses its regular session on September 11. Moreover, a late move to link the fire planning bills to disaster relief legislation could increase the chances that Gov. Schwarzenegger will actually sign the bills.

Agencies, Growth Council Jockey To Assume OPR's Responsibilities

Sep 1, 2009

California, Insight, State agencies, Vol. 24 No. 11 Sep 2009 - 1, William Fulton

California government never fails to amuse. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appears poised to eliminate his own Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and nobody – not even the state's planners – is rushing to the beleaguered office's defense. Yet throughout Sacramento, vultures are hovering, because while OPR itself may not be worth saving, the carcass appears to have value.

Farmland Conservation Program Faces Uncertainty

Aug 20, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

Gov. Schwarzenegger's unilateral decision to eliminate payments to counties that offer Williamson Act tax breaks to owners of agricultural land has raised doubts about the future of the state's largest farmland-preservation program. Many representatives of the affected counties have said they would like to remain in the program. But the end of state subventions that help offset lost property tax revenue is causing many counties to re-evaluate their participation.