CP&DR

News In Brief: UC Merced Community Advances; Developer Awarded $89 Million

Dec 4, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

News from around the state includes a ruling against opponents of a new community planned next to the University of California, Merced, campus; a jury's award of $89 million to Southern California developer Rick Caruso; final approval of a multiple-species habitat conservation plan for the Coachella Valley; and redevelopment accounting discrepancies found by the state controller's office.

Reliance on Inclusionary Zoning Rises

Nov 29, 2007

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007, Zoning

With about half of the cities and counties in California facing a June 30, 2008, deadline to file updated housing elements, the often-controversial policy of inclusionary zoning is receiving renewed interest. Already, one-third of cities and counties have inclusionary zoning policies, and now other local governments — including Los Angeles, San Jose and Oakland — are considering the idea.

SD County Zoning Ordinance Survives 2 Suits Mostly Intact

Nov 29, 2007

Adult businesses, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, San Diego County, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

San Diego County's adult business ordinance has mostly survived two federal court challenges. In separate rulings, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the ordinance's zoning provisions pass constitutional muster.

Reform or Regulation? Year of the Election Might Have a Split Personality

Nov 29, 2007

California, Insight, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007, William Fulton

Call it the Year of the Election.

Every time you turn around during 2008, Californians are going to be voting on something. February. June. November. And, on the local level, probably some dates in between.

9th Circuit Cracks Door Open For Out-Of-State Property Owners

Nov 27, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Takings, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued two takings decisions from outside California favorable to property owners.

Reluctant Remand Ruling Depublished

Nov 27, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Sacramento County, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

The state Supreme Court and the Third District Court of Appeal appear to be feuding over a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) case concerning the water analysis for a 20,000-housing unit project in Rancho Cordova.

High Desert City Confronts Both Past, Future Growth Issues

Nov 27, 2007

California, Downtown planning, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

Nearing the 20th anniversary of its incorporation, the high desert city of Hesperia is simultaneously confronting its past and future. The city continues to install infrastructure that was never provided in the first place and is working on a plan to create what would be the first real downtown in a city of 86,000 people. At the same time, Hesperia is considering plans from two developers that would open up a whole new part of town for growth and potentially increase the city's population by two-thirds.

Big-Box Store, Road Realignment Constitute 1 Project, Court Rules

Nov 27, 2007

California, California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

Development of a home improvement store and realignment of an adjacent road in Sonora constituted one project, and the combined activities should have been subject to a single environmental analysis, the Fifth District Court of Appeal has ruled.

No, Seriously: Golf Course Saves Fresno

Nov 27, 2007

Deals, Economic development, Fresno County, Morris Newman, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

Why is Trump asking the city to get involved in his purchase of Running Horse?

Sensitive Sites In 4 Counties Acquired For Conservation

Nov 21, 2007

Environment Watch, Parks and open space, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

Environmental groups and land trusts have completed four major land acquisitions in four different parts of the state. To varying degrees, the acquisitions were intended to prevent development and preserve or enhance natural resources. The acquisitions occured in Sonoma, Placer, Tehama and San Diego counties.