CP&DR

General Plans Address Climate Change

May 30, 2008

California, Climate change, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 06 Jun 2008

Numerous cities and counties in the process of updating their general plans are addressing climate change with policies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and, to a lesser extent, adapting to changing conditions. Some localities have adopted climate action plans that affect the general plan and other long-term planning documents, while others have written specific general plan policies and implementation measures.

State Finds Redevelopment Accounting Mess

May 20, 2008

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Redevelopment, Vol. 23 No. 06 Jun 2008

In a follow-up to a report issued last year, the state controller's office has determined that K-12 school districts understated the amount of pass-through payments received from redevelopment agencies by $105 million in the 2005-06 fiscal year, and community college districts underreported by $8.2 million. The errors caused the state to backfill $17.8 million to K-12 districts and $3.9 million to the colleges that the state did not owe.

Voters In Napa County, SF, SoCal To Decide Measures

May 1, 2008

California, Featured Articles, Initiatives and referendums, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 05 May 2008

After a lull during the off-year election of 2007, land use initiatives and referendums are starting to reappear on local ballots this June. Voters in at least seven jurisdictions are scheduled to decide measures that are related directly or indirectly to what gets built and where.

Takings Lawsuit Settlement Hinges On Legislation

May 1, 2008

CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, San Mateo County, Takings, Vol. 23 No. 05 May 2008

The City of Half Moon Bay has reached a settlement agreement with a developer who won a takings lawsuit against the city. Last December, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker awarded developer Charles Keenan $36.8 million in damages, plus interest and attorney's fees, because an incomplete city drainage project had transformed an approved 24-acre housing project site into an unbuildable wetland (see CP&DR In Brief, January 2008).

City Of Industry Redevelopment Extension Dies - For Now

Apr 25, 2008

CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Los Angeles County, Redevelopment, Vol. 23 No. 05 May 2008

A bill that would permit the City of Industry to extend its redevelopment plan's effectiveness for 10 years appears to have died when the bill's author, Sen. Gloria Romero (D-East Los Angeles), pulled SB 1771 before a scheduled mid-April committee hearing.

Stormwater Regulations Proliferate

Apr 4, 2008

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 04 Apr 2008, Water

State water quality officials are continuing to press forward with more and more strict regulations for stormwater runoff. In response, planners and developers are worried about the cost of implementation and potentially unintended consequences.

Developers Halt Planning In SJ's Coyote Valley

Mar 25, 2008

CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Santa Clara County, Specific plans, Vol. 23 No. 04 Apr 2008

After five years, a planning effort for a new growth area in south San Jose has halted because a coalition of developers has ceased funding the effort. Coyote Housing Group, which includes Shapell Homes, Citation Homes and other developers, announced in mid-March that it would suspend funding for work on the Coyote Valley specific plan. The group cited the "extremely complex planning process" and complications with existing industrial entitlements in North Coyote Valley.

Air Pollution Fee On Development Upheld

Mar 21, 2008

California, CP&DR Staff, Development impact fees, Featured Articles, Vol. 23 No. 04 Apr 2008

An air pollution fee on new development in the San Joaquin Valley has been upheld by a Fresno County Superior Court. Judge Donald Black rejected numerous arguments against the fee in a lawsuit filed by the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, Valley Taxpayers Association and affordable housing developer Coalition of Urban Renewal Excellence.

Regional Planning Bill Remains A Priority

Mar 3, 2008

Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 03 Mar 2008

Although the state's mounting budget deficit is expected to predominate in Sacramento for many months, 2008 could be a blockbuster year for land use legislation. Scores of bills related to planning, the California Environmental Quality Act, redevelopment, housing, the Subdivision Map Act, and other land use matters have been introduced during the first two months of the year or remain leftover from 2007.

Developer's Initiative Thrown Out, Citizen Initiative Upheld

Feb 25, 2008

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Initiatives and referendums, Vol. 23 No. 03 Mar 2008

A pro-development initiative in San Luis Obispo County was not the proper subject for an initiative, a San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge has ruled. Meanwhile, a slow-growth initiative approved by Loma Linda voters in 2006 was upheld by a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge.