CP&DR

City Given Discretion To Grant Density Bonuses

by Paul Shigley on Dec 15, 2009

Housing, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 17 Dec 2009 - 1

The City of Berkeley’s approval of density bonuses for a mixed-use project has been upheld by the First District Court of Appeal, which rejected a project opponent’s contention that the city had wrongly applied the state density bonus law. >>read more

NBC Universal's Growth Plans: A Monologue

Nov 9, 2009

Infill development, Los Angeles County, Morris Newman, Places, Vol. 24 No. 15 Nov 2009 - 1

NBC Universal has unveiled a master plan for buildout of its 391-acre property in the hills between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. Morris Newman offers his analysis by way of a dramatic monologue.

Palos Verdes Estates' Aesthetics Topple Cell Phone Antennas

Nov 9, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Los Angeles County, Telecommunications antennas, Vol. 24 No. 15 Nov 2009 - 1

A city may consider aesthetics in regulating the construction of telecommunications antennas, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. The ruling is the latest in a series of court decisions upholding the authority of local government to decide where wireless antennas are located.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Moratorium Upheld

Oct 7, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1, Zoning

The City of Claremont's moratorium on dispensaries of medical marijuana and a Superior Court injunction shuttering a dispensary have been upheld by the Second District Court of Appeal.

Disapproved Project Doesn't Need EIR, Court Rules

Oct 7, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

The City of Los Angeles had no obligation under the California Environmental Quality Act to complete an environmental impact report for a project that it had rejected, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled.

The court dismissed all arguments put forward by the developer of the 555-acre Las Lomas project at the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 14. "[I]f an agency at any time decides not to proceed with a project," the court said, "CEQA is inapplicable from that time forward."

Football Stadium Lawsuit Settled

Oct 6, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

Forced into negotiations by the state Legislature, the City of Walnut has dropped its lawsuit contesting the adequacy of an environmental impact report for a proposed professional football stadium and 3 million-square-foot entertainment complex in the neighboring City of Industry.

Long Beach Suit Over Planned LAUSD High School Rejected

Sep 2, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 11 Sep 2009 - 1

The Los Angeles Unified School District has successfully defended against a City of Long Beach lawsuit that challenged numerous aspects of a new high school's environmental impact report.

Court Rules L.A. Inclusionary Housing Mandate Violates State Law

Aug 20, 2009

Housing, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

A state appellate court ruling striking down an affordable housing mandate in the City of Los Angeles could have statewide implications. Affordable-housing advocates and municipal attorneys say the decision, if it stands, calls into question inclusionary housing ordinances that require developers to set aside and price a certain percentage of new rental units at below-market rates.

Government Property Acquisition Costs May Rise

Jul 13, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Eminent domain, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 08 Jul 2009 - 2

A state appellate court has issued a ruling in an eminent domain case that could have expensive ramifications for government agencies. The court ruled that a business owner isn't required to have a written lease in order to seek compensation for lost goodwill resulting from a government taking of property.

Clever Project Develops School, Housing Together

Jul 1, 2009

Los Angeles County, Morris Newman, Places, School and university planning, Vol. 24 No. 07 Jul 2009 - 1

A working-class neighborhood north of downtown L.A. is slated for a development project unlike any other previously built in the state: A combination of housing and a public school on a shared site. Set to start construction this winter, the Glassell Park project is being built jointly by Los Angeles Unified School District and Abode Communities, the nonprofit homebuilder formerly known as Los Angeles Design Center.