CP&DR

Football Stadium Lawsuit Settled

Oct 6, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Los Angeles County, Vol. 24 No. 13 Oct 2009 - 1

Forced into negotiations by the state Legislature, the City of Walnut has dropped its lawsuit contesting the adequacy of an environmental impact report for a proposed professional football stadium and 3 million-square-foot entertainment complex in the neighboring City of Industry.

Land Use, Water Bills Stall In Legislature

Sep 21, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2

State lawmakers wrapped up the first year of their two-year session without taking action on numerous bills regarding land use planning, development and natural resources. But some of the legislation could receive consideration before the end of the month because lawmakers are likely to return for special sessions called by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

The Legislature passed bills that would require fire safety to be a larger factor in land use planning, allow farmworker housing to be built on agricultural land and give local government the authority to limit the conversion of mobile home parks to resident-owned condominiums. Schwarzenegger has until October 11 to sign or veto the bills.

Controversial Bottling Plant Proposal Dropped

Sep 18, 2009

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Siskiyou County, Vol. 24 No. 12 Sep 2009 - 2

A project that had become a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lightning rod has apparently died. Nestlé Waters North America notified the McCloud Community Services District that it is dropping plans to convert a closed lumber mill in Siskiyou County into a water-bottling plant because it is building the facility in Sacramento instead.

Fire-Safety Planning Legislation Advances

Sep 2, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 11 Sep 2009 - 1

Two bills that would require greater consideration of fire safety in land use planning appear likely to reach the governor's desk before the Legislature recesses its regular session on September 11. Moreover, a late move to link the fire planning bills to disaster relief legislation could increase the chances that Gov. Schwarzenegger will actually sign the bills.

Farmland Conservation Program Faces Uncertainty

Aug 20, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

Gov. Schwarzenegger's unilateral decision to eliminate payments to counties that offer Williamson Act tax breaks to owners of agricultural land has raised doubts about the future of the state's largest farmland-preservation program. Many representatives of the affected counties have said they would like to remain in the program. But the end of state subventions that help offset lost property tax revenue is causing many counties to re-evaluate their participation.

Water Legislation Stirs Old Concerns

Aug 19, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Vol. 24 No. 10 Aug 2009 - 2

State lawmakers say that water and the Bay Delta should be the Legislature's top priorities until it recesses on September 11. Democratic lawmakers have introduced a five-bill package that they insist provides a framework for moving forward with the co-equal goals of Delta ecosystem restoration and increased water supply reliability. Republican lawmakers, however, said the package leans too heavily toward environmental considerations at the expense of water reliability.

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.

State Takes $2 Billion From Redevelopment

Jul 30, 2009

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Redevelopment, Vol. 24 No. 09 Aug 2009 - 1

By shifting $1.7 billion from redevelopment agencies to state programs and schools, the state budget signed this week by Gov. Schwarzenegger could halt numerous redevelopment projects for years to come, according to the agencies and housing proponents. The tax increment shift could also mean the end for some redevelopment agencies.

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.