CP&DR

Cities Slow To Embrace Coachella Valley Species Plan

Apr 1, 2006

Habitat conservation planning, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Riverside County, Vol. 21 No. 04 Apr 2006

A decade-long effort to adopt a plan for protecting endangered species in the Coachella Valley is threatening to unravel, at least partially. Some cities that would be covered by the multiple species habitat conservation plan (MSHCP) appear hesitant to approve the plan because it could block large-scale development projects.

Bay Meadows: Infill Opportunity Or Community Resource?

Mar 1, 2006

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Redevelopment, San Mateo County, Vol. 21 No. 03 Mar 2006

Twenty miles south of San Francisco, the City of San Mateo has approved a specific plan calling for a major, mixed-use development next to the busiest Caltrain station in San Mateo County.

Loma Linda Advocates Push Referendums, Initiative

Dec 1, 2005

Initiatives and referendums, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, San Bernardino County, Vol. 20 No. 12 Dec 2005

Voters in Loma Linda could soon make decisions that greatly affect how the San Bernardino County city of 21,000 people grows. Referendums of two specific plans that call for a total of 2,400 housing units are likely to appear on the June 2006 ballot. And petitions for a general plan initiative are currently circulating.

Q&A: Assemblyman Gene Mullin

Aug 1, 2005

Paul Shigley, Q&A, Vol. 20 No. 08 Aug 2005

Gene Mullin is chairman of the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development. He spoke with CP&DR Editor Paul Shigley during the Legislature's summer recess. >>read more

SF Hotel's Takings Suit Concludes

Jul 1, 2005

Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, San Francisco, Takings, Vol. 20 No. 07 Jul 2005

Property owners who contend that the government has taken their property without just compensation must press their monetary claims in state court and might never get to argue in federal court.

Coastal Commission Survives

Jul 1, 2005

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 20 No. 07 Jul 2005

The California Coastal Commission has survived one of most direct assaults on its existence since the Commission's establishment in 1976. Property owners, who have chafed for years at the Coastal Commission's land use restrictions, had hoped to have the Commission's makeup declared unconstitutional, but the California Supreme Court unanimously upheld the current system in a ruling issued June 23.

San Quentin Death Row Project Sparks Talk Of Prison's Future

Apr 1, 2005

Marin County, Paul Shigley, Public Development, Vol. 20 No. 04 Apr 2005

State prison officials are moving forward with plans to build a new death row at San Quentin, but elected officials and business interests in Marin County are urging the state to reconsider.

State Scrutinizes Delta Urbanization

Jun 1, 2004

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Vol. 19 No. 06 Jun 2004

A proposal to expand the authority of the Delta Protection Commission and alter its membership is setting up a classic local-versus-state confrontation. Some state officials say greater oversight of land use decisions is needed to protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta's natural resources and farms, while locals say the state is trying to intrude on local control.

Madera County New Town Advances, But Litigation Nears

May 1, 2004

Central Valley, Local Watch, Madera County, Paul Shigley, Vol. 19 No. 05 May 2004

A long-proposed new town in Madera County, north of Fresno, appears to be inching closer to reality. This month, the Madera County Board of Supervisors expects to give final approval to the 1,800-acre River Ranch Estates, a proposed housing subdivision within a designated 15,000-acre growth area known as Rio Mesa.

Las Lomas Could Be Next Southern California Battleground

Jan 1, 2004

Local Watch, Los Angeles County, Paul Shigley, Specific plans, Vol. 19 No. 01 Jan 2004

A proposed 5,800-unit housing development in the rugged hills between the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita is generating controversy, intergovernmental friction and litigation even before an environmental impact report has been produced.