CP&DR

Marin County General Plan Embraces Sustainability

Dec 28, 2007

Local Watch, Marin County, Paul Shigley, Regional planning, Vol. 23 No. 01 Jan 2008

Marin County has adopted a new general plan that emphasizes "sustainable communities" and reflects a strong concern about global climate change. Although the Board of Supervisors adopted the Marin Countywide Plan only in November, there is already evidence the plan could serve as a model for other jurisdictions in California and across the country.

Reliance on Inclusionary Zoning Rises

Nov 29, 2007

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007, Zoning

With about half of the cities and counties in California facing a June 30, 2008, deadline to file updated housing elements, the often-controversial policy of inclusionary zoning is receiving renewed interest. Already, one-third of cities and counties have inclusionary zoning policies, and now other local governments — including Los Angeles, San Jose and Oakland — are considering the idea.

High Desert City Confronts Both Past, Future Growth Issues

Nov 27, 2007

California, Downtown planning, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

Nearing the 20th anniversary of its incorporation, the high desert city of Hesperia is simultaneously confronting its past and future. The city continues to install infrastructure that was never provided in the first place and is working on a plan to create what would be the first real downtown in a city of 86,000 people. At the same time, Hesperia is considering plans from two developers that would open up a whole new part of town for growth and potentially increase the city's population by two-thirds.

Sensitive Sites In 4 Counties Acquired For Conservation

Nov 21, 2007

Environment Watch, Parks and open space, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

Environmental groups and land trusts have completed four major land acquisitions in four different parts of the state. To varying degrees, the acquisitions were intended to prevent development and preserve or enhance natural resources. The acquisitions occured in Sonoma, Placer, Tehama and San Diego counties.

Cities Successfully Defend Billboard Regulations

Nov 19, 2007

California, Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Signs and billboards, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

Billboard ordinances in five cities have survived constitutional challenges, as the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal has rejected claims filed by three billboard companies. In three published decisions, the Ninth Circuit upheld billboard regulations in San Diego, Beaumont and Oakland. In unpublished memoranda, the court upheld regulations in Chula Vista and Lemon Grove.

Elk Grove: 7-Year-Old City Seeks Land For Expansion

Oct 30, 2007

Elk Grove, Local Watch, New cities, Paul Shigley, Sacramento County, Vol. 22 No. 11 Nov 2007

When voters approved the incorporation of Elk Grove in Sacramento County in early 2000, the town had a population of about 54,000. Today, Elk Grove's population is heading past 140,000, and the city is looking at a 13,900-acre area for potential expansion.

Cities Protect Industrial Lands

Oct 29, 2007

California, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Redevelopment, Vol. 22 No. 11 Nov 2007

In the face of never-ending demand for housing and concerns about eroding the job base, some cities are imposing regulations to protect their industrial lands.

Humboldt County Limits Building On Designated Timberlands

Oct 29, 2007

Environment Watch, Humboldt County, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 11 Nov 2007, Zoning

Spurred by a land use plan intended to remove Pacific Lumber Company from bankruptcy, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is moving toward adopting policies that would limit residential development on land zoned for timber production.

Committee Breaks Ice On Growth Management Debate

Oct 29, 2007

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Regional planning, Vol. 22 No. 11 Nov 2007

Growth management has been a nearly untouchable topic in the state capital since the 1980s. Only a handful of lawmakers and administration officials have been willing to discuss growth management, and then only indirectly.

LAO Raises Questions About Resources Land Acquisitions

Oct 26, 2007

California, Paul Shigley, Public Development, State agencies, Vol. 22 No. 11 Nov 2007

The State of California needs a better system for determining how much it pays for resource conservation lands, the Legislative Analyst's Office concluded in a lengthy report issued in October. Although the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) does not say directly that the state has overpaid when it bought forests, wetlands, beaches, habitat and open space, the implication is easy to draw.