CP&DR

Public-Private Initiative Seeks A Green Valley In Inland Empire

Nov 3, 2008

Economic Development, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 11 Nov 2008

With an economy based on construction, shipping and warehousing, and heavy industry – and with some of the most conservative politics in the state – the Inland Empire would appear to be an unlikely place for a "green" movement. However, a public-private initiative is under way that seeks nothing less than a transformation of the region to one based on green technology and sustainable living.

Court Defines 'Physical Taking' To Include Water For Rare Fish

Oct 27, 2008

Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Takings, Ventura County, Vol. 23 No. 11 Nov 2008

In a decision with enormous potential ramifications for environmental regulation, a federal appellate court has ruled that a Bureau of Reclamation mandate requiring a Ventura County water district ensure adequate river flow for an endangered fish species was a physical appropriation of the water. The court ruled that the Casitas Municipal Water District's claims should be considered under the physical takings doctrine, not under the much narrower regulatory takings standard.

Rancho Palos Verdes Moratorium Deemed A Taking

Oct 27, 2008

Los Angeles County, Paul Shigley, Takings, Vol. 23 No. 11 Nov 2008

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes' 30-year moratorium on new home construction in an area the city says is prone to landslides is an unconstitutional taking of private property, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled. The decision marks a rare takings victory for property owners in state court.

Antelope Valley Water Shortage Slows Growth, Raises Questions

Oct 5, 2008

California, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 10 Oct 2008, Water

In combination with the housing market crash, a water shortage has brought construction nearly to a halt in the Antelope Valley. Even if the market were to bounce back in the next year or two, it's unclear that water providers could serve a substantial number of new homes and businesses.

Voters Confront Land Use Measures

Oct 5, 2008

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 10 Oct 2008

Construction activity may have declined dramatically, but the number of ballot measures seeking to slow or guide growth remains high. Voters across California will face close to 50 growth-related local ballot measures in November.

It's not unusual for the number of slow-growth measures to increase at the end of a real estate boom. Construction often continues and the real estate market dies, and slow-growth measures are often a reaction to construction rather than the market. In other words, slow-growth ballot measures are a lagging economic indicator of the real estate market. This November's total is down from the 78 measures on the November 2006 ballot, partly because California had two primaries this year.

State Budget Hits Redevelopment, Public Transit

Oct 1, 2008

California, Featured Articles, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 10 Oct 2008

The state budget signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in late September shifts $350 million from redevelopment agencies to schools, and it provides no funding at all for transit projects contained in the State Transportation Improvement Program. Still, the sentiment among many local government officials was that the budget could have been far worse.

Marina Approves Huge Subsidies to Restart Key Project

Oct 1, 2008

Monterey County, Paul Shigley, Redevelopment, Redevelopment Watch, Vol. 23 No. 10 Oct 2008

Faced with the potential demise of a highly anticipated 430-acre commercial and residential project, the City of Marina has added more than $80 million worth of subsidies and incentives to a deal with developers. In the recently approved deal, the city also reduced the developer's workforce housing obligations and agreed to cover half of water connection fees.

9th Circuit Endorses Local Antenna Siting Regulation

Sep 25, 2008

Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, San Diego County, Telecommunications antennas, Vol. 23 No. 10 Oct 2008

In a major reversal, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that wireless telecommunications providers can no longer challenge local zoning regulations on the basis that the zoning has the potential to prohibit telecommunications services. Instead, providers will have to show that local regulation does in fact prohibit telecommunications services.

Despite Obstacles, More Sacramento Exurban Growth Is In Pipeline

Sep 5, 2008

Central Valley, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 09 Sep 2008, Yolo County

Despite high gasoline prices, concern over greenhouse gas emissions, a dismal housing market and a renowned "smart growth" regional planning blueprint, a whole new phase of exurbs is being planned north of Sacramento.

Water Data Drought Prevents Good Planning, Report Finds

Sep 5, 2008

California, Environment Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 09 Sep 2008, Water

State laws approved seven years ago requiring water assurances for large development projects appear to be of minimal aid in determining whether the state and regions have enough water for the future. That's the conclusion of a California Research Bureau (CRB) report released with zero fanfare in August.