CP&DR

LAO Urges Improved Resources Bond Accountability

Apr 1, 2003

Paul Shigley, Public Development, Vol. 18 No. 04 Apr 2003

Since 1996, California voters have approved $11.1 billion worth of resource bonds. However, tracking how that money has been spent, how the remainder is proposed to be allocated — and even determining how much money is available — have proven tricky.

Housing Remains A Priority In Sacramento

Apr 1, 2003

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 04 Apr 2003

Although Sacramento is short of money these days, the state capital does not lack for policy initiatives that directly or indirectly affect land use. In fact, veteran lobbyists say they can remember few years when legislators introduced so many policy bills.

Tejon Ranch: Huge Projects For A Huge Landowner

Apr 1, 2003

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 04 Apr 2003

Tejon Ranch owns what might be the largest contiguous stretch of land controlled by one property owner in California. Since the mid 19th century, the Tejon Ranch property, located along present-day Interstate 5 in Los Angeles and Kern Counties, has served primarily for cattle grazing and sport hunting. But Tejon Ranch Company, a publicly traded corporation, is now pursuing major development projects on opposite ends of the ranch.

Local Government Wins Old Map Fight

Mar 1, 2003

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Sonoma County, Subdivision Map Act, Vol. 18 No. 03 Mar 2003

In a landmark ruling, the state Supreme Court has made clear that maps recorded prior to 1893 do not create legal, developable lots for today's purposes. And the court at least hinted that maps recorded between 1893 and 1929 might not be valid unless a city or county somehow exercised discretion in approving the map.

Central Valley City Welcomes Huge Housing, Commercial Project

Mar 1, 2003

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 03 Mar 2003

An 11,000-unit housing development and 325-acre "employment center" has won approval from the City of Lathrop, in the San Joaquin Valley east of the Bay Area. If built, the project would be the first major urbanization of one of the many flood-prone islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

State High Court Rejects Pre-1893 Subdivisions

Mar 1, 2003

Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Solano County, Subdivision Map Act, Vol. 18 No. 03 Mar 2003

In its first ruling directly addressing the validity of "antiquated subdivisions," the California Supreme Court has held that maps recorded prior to adoption of the first precursor to the Subdivision Map Act in 1893 do not create legal parcels for today's purposes.

PPIC's Elisa Barbour

Mar 1, 2003

Paul Shigley, Q&A, Vol. 18 No. 03 Mar 2003

Elisa Barbour, of the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) in San Francisco, recently published a comprehensive study on regional planning, "Metropolitan Growth Planning in California, 1900-2000." In her study, Barbour says that California has tried to create stronger metropolitan planning institutions for 100 years. She calls the most recent surge of regionalism the "third wave," after the establishment of home rule, and the rise of single-purpose agencies.

Analysts Call Housing Development Essential For Next Wave Of Prosperity

Mar 1, 2003

Economic Development, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 03 Mar 2003

An economic downturn that has forced up Bay Area unemployment and office vacancy rates shows little sign of abating. Business leaders, economic development experts and analysts say that righting the greater Bay Area's economic ship will be neither easy nor quick.

Governor's Budget Threatens Redevelopment Funding

Feb 1, 2003

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 02 Feb 2003

The budget crisis in Sacramento has led Gov. Gray Davis to propose a wide-ranging set of spending cuts, tax increases and revenue shifts — including reductions in redevelopment funds and tax revenue allocated to cities and counties — that could have a significant effect on land use planning. Although the Davis administration does not appear to be making deficit-reduction proposals based on their land use implications, there is no doubt the recommendations would have a major impact on the state's growth

Ballot Initiative Helps Resolve Watsonville's Growth Wars

Feb 1, 2003

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 18 No. 02 Feb 2003

After decades of fights over annexation and housing development, voters have provided the City of Watsonville with a long-range plan for growth that spells out where and when the coastal city should grow. Measure U, approved by 60% of voters in November 2002, amends the general plan to dictate what territory the city should annex during the next 25 years.