CP&DR

Redondo's Heart Is at the Beach

Jan 1, 2002

Coastal Zone, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Redondo Beach, Vol. 17 No. 01 Jan 2002

As early as February, the Redondo Beach City Council could adopt a specific plan for about 150 acres of waterfront real estate that planners believe could become a new downtown. The "Heart of the City" specific plan envisions a broad mix of stores, offices, apartments, townhouses, live-work flats and parks in a part of town that has been dominated by a huge power plant and cut off from the ocean.

Gilroy Industrial Plan Sparks Sprawl, Farm Conversion Worries

Jan 1, 2002

Economic Development, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 01 Jan 2002

Farmland preservation, urban sprawl, economic development and long-range planning have collided in the City of Gilroy. Officials are working toward designating 664 acres of tomato fields for high-tech, campus-style development, but opponents of the idea say the city should concentrate on 1,200 acres already designated for industrial growth.

Riverside County Plan Moves Forward

Jan 1, 2002

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 17 No. 01 Jan 2002

Riverside County officials are scheduled to start rolling out draft plans and environmental impact reports in February as one of the most ambitious planning efforts in California history reaches the homestretch. County officials vow that they will complete their integrated planning process and the Board of Supervisors will adopt a new general plan, transportation plan and habitat plan before the end of this year.

Lack of Money Threatens to Slow State's High-Speed Rail Plans

Dec 1, 2001

California, High Speed Rail, Paul Shigley, Public Development, Transportation, Vol. 16 No. 12 Dec 2001

The California High-Speed Rail Authority finds itself living something of a double life these days. The authority has received great interest since the September 11 terrorist attacks, yet the authoirty is going broke and could close down in 2002.

Controversy, Intrigue Arise Over Industry's Land Acquisition

Dec 1, 2001

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 12 Dec 2001

The City of Industry has purchased a 2,400-acre Boy Scout camp in the hills outside of town. The acquisition and Industry's plans for the property have spurred a major fight between Industry and a collection of environmentalists and officials from neighboring jurisdictions.

Water Providers Fight Each Other Regarding Sacramento River

Dec 1, 2001

Environment Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 12 Dec 2001

One year ago, the water district that serves portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties reached a tentative agreement with other local and federal agencies on a plan to divert water from the Sacramento River. Supporters of the plan said it would benefit many different parties.

Pro-Growth Side Does Well in Election: Off-Year Ballot Has Few Growth Measures

Dec 1, 2001

Ballot Measures , Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 12 Dec 2001

Development supporters fared better than slow-growth advocates during November's off-year election with few land use ballot measures. The pro-growth side won seven of the ten measures on local ballots that had obvious growth implications.

Slim Endangered Species Act Budget Lies at Heart of Recent Truce

Nov 1, 2001

Environment Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

It was surprising news when the Center for Biological Diversity announced it had signed an out-of-court agreement regarding endangered species with its longtime adversaries at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. With a decade-long winning streak in court, the Tucson-based Center has become arguably the most important entity in the Endangered Species Act debate. Why wouldn't the organization want to continue kicking butt in court, especially since Gail Norton had replaced Bruce Babbitt as head of the Interior

Many Eyes Watch New HCD Program

Nov 1, 2001

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

A new state program intended to spur housing construction is being watched closely by planners and housing advocates. Supporters of the Jobs-Housing Balance Program believe it could spur cities and counties to approve needed housing developments, but some skeptics wonder if it will simply provide money to jurisdictions that would permit new homes anyway.

Governor Signs Bills Regarding Subdivisions, Park Bonds, Water

Nov 1, 2001

California, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

Gov. Gray Davis completed the legislative year by signing every high-profile planning bill that hit his desk. Davis signed a bill that severely curtails the use of lot line adjustments and certificates of compliance in creating subdivisions. He approved a three-package bill that forces a closer link between planning and water availability. The governor also signed a $2.6 billion park bond initiative that will appear on the March ballot, and a measure that allows redevelopment agencies to extend their life spans by 10 years.