Monterey County voters rejected a general plan initiative while sending mixed signals on a general plan update adopted by the county. Voters also rejected a 1,100-unit subdivision during a special election on Tuesday.

The "no" side won all four ballot measures, even though two of the no votes conflicted with each other in the contentious and confusing election with a low turnout.

In commodity futures markets, investors agree to pay a price today for the unknown cost of goods some time in the future. The City of Beverly Hills does not play the futures market, at least to my knowledge. >>read more

The Supreme Court's closely divided decision backing the use of eminent domain for economic development gives state and local governments a qualified boost in what property rights advocates promise to be continuing challenges to the practice in state courts. >>read more

A proposed golf course and housing development amid the imperiled Monterey pines of Pebble Beach's Del Monte Forest has set up a confrontation between Monterey County and the California Coastal Commission. >>read more

This month's selection of In Brief items includes: Local initiative in Napa County copies Oregon's Measure 37; Fresno County Grand Jury recommends a building moratorium pending the location of proven water sources; Marin County sues the state Department of Corrections over construction of new San Quentin death row; The City of Mission Viejo drops its lawsuit against Rancho Mission Viejo development plan; and more... >>read more

A few weeks ago, property rights advocates lost three big court cases. It's not unusual for June to be an important month for legal opinions because the U.S. Supreme Court wraps up its work before going on summer hiatus. But it is usual for property owners to go oh-for-June. >>read more

Property owners who contend that the government has taken their property without just compensation must press their monetary claims in state court and might never get to argue in federal court.

The saga of public access to a beach adjacent to entertainment mogul David Geffen's house in Malibu has apparently concluded, with public access secure. >>read more

A redevelopment plan covering more than 10,000 acres in San Jose has been upheld by the Sixth District Court of Appeal. The court ruled that the city had proven that blight existed in the six sub-areas of the project. >>read more

Approval of a tentative parcel map does not prevent zoning changes from applying to the subdivision, the Fourth District Court of Appeal has ruled. In a case from Orange County, the court ruled that the county could enforce provisions in a specific plan adopted after the county approved a four-lot parcel map for 9.2 acres within the specific plan area. >>read more