CP&DR

California Has Huge Stake in Federal HCP Debate

Jun 1, 2001

Featured Articles, John Krist, Vol. 16 No. 06 Jun 2001

Despite what Ralph Nader claimed, the differences between Al Gore and George W. Bush on environmental issues were stark. Those contrasts have become even more vivid during Bush's first few months in office. However, Bush appears likely to continue the Clinton Administration's support for Habitat Conservation Plans as a way of managing endangered species issues.

State Revises Conflict-of-Interest Rules: Fair Political Practices Commission Overhaul Comes as Scan

May 1, 2001

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 05 May 2001

New conflict-of-interest rules promulgated by the Fair Political Practices Commission went into effect in February, and many changes affect public officials who make land use decisions. The rule changes come at a time when land use scandals appear to be at a new peak, with one staff planner pleading guilty to soliciting bribes and the planning director in another city facing a trial on bribery charges (see sidebar).

Recent Land Use Scandals--Feature Article Sidebar

May 1, 2001

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 05 May 2001

List of recent scandals in various California planning departments, commissions, etc.

Housing Bills Flood State Capital: But Electricity Crisis Could Make Money for Other Programs Scarce

Apr 1, 2001

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 04 Apr 2001

Electricity has been the dominant topic at the state Capitol for months and threatens to overshadow every other issue facing lawmakers in 2001. Still, legislators introduced hundreds of bills related to land use prior to the late-February deadline, including approximately 150 housing bills.

Power Plant Development Booms: Environmentalis, NIMBY's Present Few Obstacle to Most Projects

Mar 1, 2001

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 03 Mar 2001

With electricity in California in short supply during recent months, it is easy to overlook the boom in power plant construction that has already started. Since April 1999, the California Energy Commission has approved nine plants capable of increasing the state's generating capacity by 12%. And, the commission is reviewing 14 more proposals that would add another 12% to the state's generating abilities, bringing the capacity to about 67,000 megawatts.

Bay Area Is Next

Feb 1, 2001

CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Vol. 16 No. 02 Feb 2001

While the regional housing needs debate drags on in the southern part of the state, the nine-county Association of Bay Area Governments is finalizing its Regional Housing Needs Determination for the 1999-2006 planning cycle. Although, ABAG's process of allocating 230,000 housing units to its jurisdictions has not been without bumps, it does not show signs of derailing. Only 10 jurisdictions appealed ABAG housing targets, with a decision due on those requests at the end of January. The apparent...

SACG, HCD Fight Over Housing Target: Inland Empire Complains of Becoming region's Outlet for Affordable Unitd

Feb 1, 2001

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 02 Feb 2001

The first update of housing elements in a decade has resulted in something of a standoff between the Southern California Association of Governments and the state Department of Housing and Community Development. Stuck in the middle are Riverside and San Bernardino counties and several inland cities that do not know how many housing units to plan for. After negotiations with SCAG representatives throughout 1999, state officials ordered the regional agency to plan for 504,000 housing units during the 1998...

PG&E Asset Sale Spurs Growth Issues: Auction of Hydroelectric System Might Bring Development to Remote Areas

Jan 1, 2001

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 01 Jan 2001

A Pacific Gas and Electric proposal to auction its hydroelectric assets could bring about a new land rush in the Sierra Nevada, the southern Cascades and the coastal mountain ranges. If the sale goes forward as proposed, as many as 20 different owners could assume control of PG&E's 99 reservoirs, 174 dams, 110 electricity generating units — and 140,000 acres of land, much of which is pristine. State and federal land managers, advocacy groups and a draft environmental impact report make clear that the ...

New Housing Program Details

Nov 1, 2000

CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Vol. 15 No. 11 Nov 2000

The State of California's 2000-01 budget and various pieces of legislation created several new programs and expanded some existing housing programs under the Department of Housing and Community Development. They new programs include: o Jobs-Housing Balance Improvement Program. $110 million. Covers three areas: — Economic development grants to local agencies in "housing rich" areas to attract new businesses and jobs. — Incentive grants to cities and counti...

Housing Programs Get More Money; State Leaders Approve Spending But Leave Policy Alone

Nov 1, 2000

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 15 No. 11 Nov 2000

With affordable housing ranking as a major issue in nearly all of California, the Davis administration and the Legislature responded this year with a gigantic increase in funding for housing programs. However, they did not adopt the significant policy changes supported by the building industry and some housing advocates, and the governor even vetoed one of the few important housing bills approved by lawmakers. Housing programs will receive about $570 million of this year's state budget — up from about...