CP&DR

Local Control Over Mobile Home Park Conversions Limited

Aug 28, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Housing, Legal Digest, Sonoma County, Vol. 24 No. 11 Sep 2009 - 1

Cities and counties have little authority over the conversion of mobile home parks to resident-owned subdivisions, the First District Court of Appeal has ruled.

In Brief: OC Planning Department Crisis Continues

Aug 19, 2009

CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Orange County, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

In this roundup of news: The Orange County planning director resigns only days after the Board of Supervisors ordered a task force to overhaul the department; Irvine amends its agreement with developers of the old El Toro base; Stockton's downtown redevelopment takes a hit; Santee sues San Diego County over jail expansion; Palo Alto adopts a private street ballot initiative.

Bush Administration Forest Management Rules Rejected

Aug 19, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, National Environmental Policy Act, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

Two Bush administration policies for managing national forests were invalidated by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in early August. One three-judge panel blocked implementation of a 2004 amendment to the Sierra Nevada Framework that governs all 11 national forests in the mountain range. A second panel rejected the Forest Service's attempt to eliminate a Clinton-era rule prohibiting development in designated roadless areas of national forests.

Court Reinstates SLO Developer's Ballot Initiative

Aug 18, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Initiatives and referendums, Legal Digest, San Luis Obispo County, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

A state appellate court has reinstated the results of a local ballot initiative that authorize a large development near the San Luis Obispo County airport. A trial court judge had thrown out the initiative on the grounds that it was superceded by the State Aeronautics Act and that the ballot measure amounted to an "adjudicative" rather than a legislative act. The Second District Court of Appeal disagreed, ruling that the aeronautics law did not preclude the initiative and that it was appropriately legislative in nature.

Climate Adaptation Plan Urges Development Changes

Aug 18, 2009

California, Climate change, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

A draft "California Climate Adaptation Strategy" recommends that development projects and locations be reconsidered in light of rising sea levels, greater potential flooding and higher temperatures.

In Brief: 2-Year Subdivision Map Extension Approved

Jul 30, 2009

California, CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Subdivision Map Act, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

In the latest roundup of California land use news: The governor signs urgency legislation extending the life of all tentative subdivision maps by two years; the Los Angeles MTA approves its first congestion pricing project; a Desert Hot Springs development dream becomes species habitat instead; a developer takes its case directly to Mendocino County voters.

OC Planning Department In 'Critical Condition'

Jul 30, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Orange County, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

Orange County's Planning & Development Services department "is in critical condition," according to an internal county audit released in late July.

Farmland Disappears At Record Pace

Jul 30, 2009

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

California's farm and grazing lands decreased by 275 square miles from mid-2004 through mid-2006, according to the state Department of Conservation. A total of 81,000 acres of prime farmland were lost to urban development or other changes, the greatest decrease in prime farmland since the state started the farmland mapping and monitoring program in 1984.

Environmental Groups Excluded From Rancho Cucamonga Preserve

Jul 29, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Habitat conservation planning, Legal Digest, San Bernardino County, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

Two environmental groups that sued the City of Rancho Cucamonga and developers to gain ownership of 86 acres of habitat mitigation land have failed to persuade an appellate court to reverse a devastating lower court ruling.The Fourth District Court of Appeal rejected the argument put forth by The Habitat Trust for Wildlife and Spirit of the Sage Council that the city, developers and San Bernardino County had collaborated to deny the environmental groups' right to own the property.

State's High Court To Review Another Prop 218 Controversy

Jul 29, 2009

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Local government finance, Marin County, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

The California Supreme Court has taken up another Proposition 218 case. This one involves voter secrecy in fee elections.