News Briefs

Some San Bernardino cities will receive more tax revenue from the county while Encinitas property owners vote down a stormwater runoff tax. The new Monterey County general plan still mired in battle over ballot intiative and San Jose and Santa Clarita each lose court battles. Moorpark voters reject a proposed subdivision while Riverside culls 600 acres from redevelopment project. To county officials' dismay, Marin County will get a new death row. >>read more

A groundbreaking property rights initiative is upheld in Oregon while Chula Vistans will vote on an eminent domain limiting amendment. Three redevelopment agencies are being investigated by the state attorney general for potential violations. Western Riverside COG increases its development mitigation fee while the Environmental Protection Agency releases a "smart growth" report. And, finally, the Department of Water Resources has adopted a new California Water Plan. >>read more

Davis adopts inclusionary housing ordinance for moderate incomes. San Diego considers military land for airport and selects proposal for port redevelopment. Los Angeles settles airport controversy while a county planner is sentenced to jail. Santa Clarita votes on open space and continues 15-year fight over a quarry. >>read more

Criticism of the Cal-Fed Bay-Delta Program continued to pile up during November. First, the Department of Finance released a draft report on Cal-Fed implementation that found a mixed record of progress. One week later, the Little Hoover Commission recommended dissolution of the California Bay-Delta Authority, which began overseeing the Cal-Fed program in 2003. >>read more

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a critical habitat designation for the California red-legged frog that is 80% smaller than originally proposed. The Golden Gate Audubon Society and Californians for Renewable Energy have sued Alameda County for their environmental impact report. >>read more

Construction of a sewage plant in the unincorporated San Luis Obispo County community of Los Osos has been halted following the successful recall of three elected officials who supported the plant. >>read more

Three local government organizations and three conservation groups have asked Gov. Schwarzenegger to work with them and other stakeholders on developing a comprehensive statewide growth strategy. >>read more

General Plan Showdown Ends In El Dorado, Garbage Dump Controversy Near Joshua Tree, EIR Traffic Impacts In El Cajon, Salamander Wars, And Skyscrapers in Sacramento. >>read more

The latest news from around the state includes water rights dispute stunting growth around Lake Arrowhead...U.S. District Court judge has ordered two lawyers to pay up for racketeering lawsuit... belated housewarming for new San Jose City Hall...1907 subdivision map validity upheld...EIR released for high-speed rail and more. >>read more

The latest news from around the state includes a new study of California's water future ... the governor's signing of a Bay Bridge funding bill ... a slow-growth initiative in Santa Paula that has been blocked from the ballot ... San Diego corruption ... and 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

This month's selection of In Brief items includes: California awards $45 million to victims of 1997 Feather River levee break; Dept. of Water Resources releases draft of new California Water Plan; San Jose and Santa Clara County race to build a performing arts hall; Roadless areas in California's national forest will remain roadless; Local Indian Tribe to help Yolo County purchase farmland and habitat; and more...

This month's selection of In Brief items includes: Legislative Analyst's Office suggests the state consider wildfire threats when planning developments near wilderness; Santa Ana voters support plans for Orange County's would-be tallest building; Private investors back away from plans for hotel and convention center; Battle over Bolsa Chica is perhaps over; and much more. >>read more

This month's selection of In Brief items includes: purchase of El Toro Marine Corps base; failed slow-growth initiative in Santee; Malibu land use controversy resolved; Orange County light rail project in trouble; and more...