CP&DR

San Joaquin Valley Leaders Adopt Regional Blueprint

Apr 21, 2009

Central Valley, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 05 May 2009

A regional panel of elected officials in the San Joaquin Valley has approved a growth blueprint that calls for increased housing densities in the eight-county region. In approving a plan for a new housing density of 6.8 units per acre for the region, the San Joaquin Valley Policy Council rejected an alternative of 10 units per acre that would have preserved more farmland and cut forecast greenhouse gas emissions.

Air District's Dairy Rules Rejected For Lack Of Public Health Analysis

Jan 30, 2009

Central Valley, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Vol. 24 No. 02 Feb 2009

A San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District permitting process for dairies has been rejected by the Fifth District Court of Appeal because the district did not conduct an adequate assessment of public health impacts.

Despite Obstacles, More Sacramento Exurban Growth Is In Pipeline

Sep 5, 2008

Central Valley, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 09 Sep 2008, Yolo County

Despite high gasoline prices, concern over greenhouse gas emissions, a dismal housing market and a renowned "smart growth" regional planning blueprint, a whole new phase of exurbs is being planned north of Sacramento.

Farmland Mitigation Takes Root

May 29, 2007

Central Valley, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, San Joaquin County, Vol. 22 No. 06 Jun 2007

Local governments in the Central Valley are starting to adopt policies that require developers to mitigate the conversion of farmland to urban uses, primarily by acquiring agricultural easements or paying in-lieu fees. San Joaquin County has become a hotbed for the new policies, and farmland advocates are hoping to export those policies to other places.

Madera County New Town Advances, But Litigation Nears

May 1, 2004

Central Valley, Local Watch, Madera County, Paul Shigley, Vol. 19 No. 05 May 2004

A long-proposed new town in Madera County, north of Fresno, appears to be inching closer to reality. This month, the Madera County Board of Supervisors expects to give final approval to the 1,800-acre River Ranch Estates, a proposed housing subdivision within a designated 15,000-acre growth area known as Rio Mesa.