CP&DR

Water Transfers Remain an Easy Answer in Theory : But Practical Rules Are Muddy

Nov 1, 1999

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 11 Nov 1999

As more large development proposals rely on water transfers to meet expected urban needs, the complexity of such transfers becomes apparent. Water transfers can engender strong opposition, especially from people in the area that would lose the water, and sizeable water transfers continue to hit major snags. At least four giant development projects, several Central Valley cities, and one Southern California water agency intend to siphon water from farmland to new homes and businesses. But all...

Latest initiative Might Preclude New Airport at El Toro

Nov 1, 1999

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 11 Nov 1999

The future of the El Toro Marine Corps base in Orange County remains as clouded as ever, with voters likely to decide in March on an initiative that could doom a commercial airport proposed for the site. A 3-2 majority on the Orange County Board of Supervisors continues to push ahead plans for an international airport at El Toro, located in and adjacent to the City of Irvine. But the Safe and Healthy Communities initiative would require two-thirds of voters to approve a new airport. Further ...

Fremont Project Meets Demand For High-Tech Business Space

Nov 1, 1999

Economic Development, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 11 Nov 1999

Although it may not receive as much attention as high-tech powerhouses such as San Jose, Santa Clara and Mountain View, Fremont has attracted numerous small and medium-sized technology companies in recent years. Now, Fremont — in southern Alameda County about 12 miles north of downtown San Jose — is poised to become an even bigger player. Catellus Development Corporation has received nearly all the government approvals necessary for 8.25 million square feet of commercial developm...

Lawmakers Pass Few Significant Land-Ue Bills : Davis Vetoes Attempt to Halt Spread of Big-Box Retailers

Oct 1, 1999

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 10 Oct 1999

Although Democrats took control of state government this year for the first time since the early 1980s, the legislative session did not produce a batch of liberal bills. In fact, with regards to land use, environmental regulation and local government finance, the session may have been most remarkable for what lawmakers did not do. The Legislature approved no major changes to the California Environmental Quality Act. Transportation and affordable housing bonds died. Proposals to reduce the v...

Wal-Mart Takes Its Case to Eureka Voters--And Loses

Oct 1, 1999

Local Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 10 Oct 1999

Voters in Eureka have handed a setback to the Bentonville, Arkansas-based denizens of gray big boxes. In a late August election, Eureka voters rejected rezoning to allow a Wal-Mart near the waterfront. The election polarized the city, but officials pledged that economic development efforts would continue with or without Wal-Mart. The loss in the Humboldt County seat was a rare defeat for Wal-Mart — but probably not surprising considering that it occurred in an independent-minded North Coast...

After 3 Decades, Environmentalists Continue to Win CEQA Cases

Oct 1, 1999

Environment Watch, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 10 Oct 1999

Citizens and organizations with gripes about proposed developments are continuing to win more big lawsuits based on the California Environmental Quality Act than they are losing. According to a CP&DR analysis, petitioners — who these days range from environmentalists to public agencies in dispute with other public agencies — have won 14 of 25 significant, published CEQA cases since 1996. And that record appears to be just fine with the state Supreme Court, which shows no interest in CEQA these ...

Napa Uncorks New Downtown to Tap Tourist, Wine Industries

Sep 1, 1999

Economic Development, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 09 Sep 1999

Although it shares a name with the ritzy wine-making region, the City of Napa has long been a mostly blue collar city with only weak links to the big-dollar wine and tourism industries. But downtown Napa, home to professional offices and mom-and-pop stores that close before dark, is about to become a player in the business of wine tourism, which brings 5 million visitors a year to Napa Valley. Legendary winemaker Robert Mondavi chose a 12-acre site on the eastern edge of downtown Napa for th...

Santee Voters Get Choice: Higher Taxes or Houses

Sep 1, 1999

Initiatives and referendums, Local Watch, Paul Shigley, San Diego County, Vol. 14 No. 09 Sep 1999

In the San Diego suburb of Santee, it's the old houses versus open space controversy — but with a twist. In November, Santee voters will decide the fate of a 2,988-lot subdivision already approved by the City Council. The twist comes in the form of an advisory measure on the same special election ballot that asks if the City Council should try to buy the property as permanent open space.

Silicon Valley Housing Crunch Gains Attention; San Benito County Is Newest Bedroom For High-Tech Workers

Sep 1, 1999

Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 14 No. 09 Sep 1999

The row crops and cattle ranches of San Benito County are remarkably similar to those of Santa Clara County during the pre-Silicon Valley era. But, just as the computer chip has transformed Santa Clara County into one of the world's great industrial centers, it is now exerting influence on rural San Benito County, where land remains available and relatively inexpensive. San Benito's predicament is the result of Santa Clara County's well-known jobs-housing imbalance. And the disparity only ge...

Judge Stalls SD Stadium Pending EIR Completion

Aug 1, 1999

Paul Shigley, Public Development, Vol. 14 No. 08 Aug 1999

Efforts to build a new ballpark for the San Diego Padres hit a snag when historic preservation advocates won a round in San Diego County Superior Court, potentially jeopardizing the project's targeted completion date of February 2002. Superior Court Judge Judith McConnell ordered the City of San Diego and its downtown redevelopment agency to halt eminent domain proceedings, land assembly and the awarding of a $50 million contract for infrastructure improvements until an environmental impact ...