CP&DR

Housing Allocation Process Demands Overhaul, But Ideas Are Missing

Apr 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 04 Apr 2003, William Fulton

If ever there were a year that would seem ripe for housing element reform, it's 2003. Yet there is little discussion of comprehensive reform, nor even much active discussion on whether to move forward into the next cycle of RHNAs and housing element updates in 2005.

Despite Economic Slowdown, Housing Impact Fees Continue To Rise

Mar 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 03 Mar 2003, William Fulton

Supposedly we're in an economic downtown, which, if past behavior of local officials in California is any indication, ought to mean that development impact fees are heading south. After all, high fees often become a scapegoat in a down economy, and lowering those fees is often touted as a way to stimulate an economic recovery. But that is not happening. Throughout California, fees are not going down. They're going up.

Bush Administration's Regulatory Rollbacks Could Destruct State-Federal Cooperation

Feb 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 02 Feb 2003, William Fulton

Apparently emboldened by political success in the mid-term election, the Bush administration has become more aggressive in its efforts to alter strict Clinton-era environmental protection policies. In California, strong state laws — and a political scene still dominated by Democrats — could hold the line on many issues, especially protection of wetlands and endangered species. But on issues in which active federal involvement is crucial, such as water and public lands policy, a major conflict could be aris

Governor's Opportunity To Shape Growth Is Available Despite Red Ink

Jan 1, 2003

Insight, Vol. 18 No. 01 Jan 2003, William Fulton

Following a meager five-point victory against a bumbling opponent and facing an 18-month budget deficit estimated at $35 billion, Gray Davis will be sworn in this month for his second term as governor. He will govern a state whose voters are perfectly happy with a suburban lifestyle, at least according to the polls. So it would not seem likely that Davis is in a position to do anything innovative or trailblazing in the area of land use planning and growth policy during his second term. Yet there is proba

State's Longest-Running Project Battle Continues To Rage

Dec 1, 2002

Housing, Insight, Ventura County, Vol. 17 No. 12 Dec 2002, William Fulton

Later this month, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors will meet to consider an appeal of the approval of Tentative Tract Map No. TT-5206 and certification of the accompanying Supplemental Environmental Impact Report. At first glance, this tract map approval might seem routine. It is the first of four tract maps that the developer anticipates bringing forward, allowing the developer to build 628 homes, a golf course, and other facilities on 846 acres of unincorporated land. It's a follow-on to a gener

California Tries To Get 'Centered,' But State Remains Conflicted

Nov 1, 2002

Insight, Vol. 17 No. 11 Nov 2002, William Fulton

Can we Californians do a better job of getting centered? This is not a metaphysical question. Increasingly, it is a practical concern. As California moves into the post-suburban era, the question of how to grow is moving beyond a fight about growth and density as abstract statistics to a more fine-grained discussion about how to create more dense and compact places. This is not a metaphysical question. Increasingly, it is a practical concern. As California moves into the post-suburban era, the

Land Use Election Activity Evinces State's East-West Division

Oct 1, 2002

Insight, Vol. 17 No. 10 Oct 2002, William Fulton

Over the years, there has been quite a bit of talk about splitting California into two states. The idea is that Northern California and Southern California do not have a lot in common and should not have much to do with each other. The idea has not gotten much of anywhere. But maybe that's because the reality is somewhat different than people's perception. Maybe California is divided into West and East.

Don't Count On Growth Debate During This Year's Race For Governor

Sep 1, 2002

Insight, Vol. 17 No. 09 Sep 2002, William Fulton

Twelve years ago while running for governor against a knowledgeable growth management ex-mayor, Democrat Dianne Feinstein scribbled the word "growth" on her hand so she would not forget to bring it up in her debate with Republican Pete Wilson.

San Diego Finds The Easy Route Does Not Lead To ‘Smart Growth'

Aug 1, 2002

Insight, Vol. 17 No. 08 Aug 2002, William Fulton

In September, the San Diego City Council is scheduled to vote on "City of Villages," the new "strategic framework element" of the city's general plan. Designed to provide a foundation for revising the city's 1970s general plan, City of Villages makes all the usual politically correct statements about promoting smart-growth ideas.

New Cities Raise Taxes, Pay Alimony To Get Past ‘Revenue Neutrality' Mandate

Jul 1, 2002

Insight, Vol. 17 No. 07 Jul 2002, William Fulton

A decade after the passage of the "revenue neutrality" law, the incorporation of new cities appears to be back as a major planning issue in California. Now, however, there is a somewhat different twist.

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