CP&DR

Right On Cue, Ballot Measure Confusion Grows While Construction Slows

Jun 26, 2007

California, Initiatives and referendums, Insight, Vol. 22 No. 07 Jul 2007, William Fulton

Wouldn't you know it? Right when the real estate market slows down, the land use initiative business is picking up. And, as is often the case, the initiatives – rather than clarifying things – are making things more confusing. Although localized in nature, the confusion will continue all the way through the emerging real estate bust and on to the beginning of the next boom.

Housing Market Switcheroo: The Affluent Go Downtown, The Poor To Suburbia

May 29, 2007

Infill development, Insight, Los Angeles County, Vol. 22 No. 06 Jun 2007, William Fulton

A few weeks ago, I attended an Urban Land Institute event dedicated to hyping Los Angeles's newfound urbanity. It was a panel discussion on the windy roof of an old office building at 3801 Wilshire Boulevard, just across Western Avenue from the historic Wiltern Theater and catty-corner to the Red Line stop at Wilshire and Western.

Washington's Carrots And Sticks No Match For Global Warming Challenge

May 2, 2007

California, Insight, Legislation, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007, William Fulton

For the first time in 12 years, the Democrats are in charge of Congress. That ought to mean there is a long wish list somewhere regarding domestic policy issues, including issues associated with planning and development.

So far, we haven't seen much publicity on domestic policy – the Democrats, as more than a few media outlets have observed, are more interested in investigation than legislation. But as the congressional session unfolds, it won't be long before the new majority begins to focus on the two major federal policy levers that affect land use – the Big Carrot of transportation funding and the Big Stick of environmental regulation. In each case, a crisis appears to be forcing Congress's hand.

San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Confronts Regional Fragmentation

May 2, 2007

Insight, Regional planning, San Joaquin County, Vol. 22 No. 05 May 2007, William Fulton

Can the entire San Joaquin Valley embrace the idea of regional planning – or at least agree on a common vision for how to accommodate future growth?

De-malling Movement Turns White Elephants Into Urban Centers

Mar 1, 2004

Insight, Vol. 19 No. 03 Mar 2004, William Fulton

In his definitive book, City Center to Regional Mall, urban historian Richard Longstreth points out that in 1960, Southern California had 14 regional malls, located mostly in the southern L.A. County and northern Orange County suburbs that were emerging at the time. Although similar at the time, those malls have evolved greatly.

New State Growth Policies Could Accompany a New Governor

Sep 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 09 Sep 2003, William Fulton

It's perhaps premature to ask what changes smut peddler Larry Flynt would make to the General Plan Guidelines, or where buxom billboard celebrity Angelyne stands on the latest wrinkles in the California Environmental Quality Act. But with the recall election only a month away -- and two statewide propositions on the special ballot along with the recall -- it's not too early to speculate on how the whole October 7 circus will affect the world of planning and development in California.

Governor's Bypass of Transit, Highway Planning Scheme Crashes

Aug 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 08 Aug 2003, William Fulton

Three years ago — back when California had money — Gov. Gray Davis came up with a clever idea to push more money into transportation projects in a way that would benefit his core political constituencies without raising taxes. Today, Davis's Transportation Congestion Relief Program appears to be self-destructing, along with the entire system of funding state transportation projects.

Zoning, Liability And Even Planners Inhibit Buildout Of Plans

Jul 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 07 Jul 2003, William Fulton

"Buildout" is a funny term. It is the word that most planners use to describe what their town would look like once everything that is called for in the general plan has been built. In today's world, buildout is easily quantified. Most cities and counties can point to their general plan and identify precisely how many houses and how many square feet of commercial and industrial space buildout involves. In California, where the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is always bird-dogging loc

Property Rights Proponents Taking Their Case Right To Voters

Jun 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 06 Jun 2003, William Fulton

At last, a property rights ballot initiative is making the rounds in California. But the initiative begs the question: Is there still a property rights movement in this state?

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.

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