CP&DR

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.

Landowner Loses Bid for Payment Based on Potential Landfill Project

Nov 1, 2001

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

When taking property by eminent domain, a city does not have to pay for the property's value as a potential garbage dump, the Third District Court of Appeal has ruled. The court held that the farmland's value as a landfill was too speculative under eminent domain law.

Legal FYI

Nov 1, 2001

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

The City of Palm Springs has agreed to pay $1.2 million to a conservation organization because the city built a golf course on land donated to the city as desert preserve. The settlement apparently ends the protracted litigation between the city and the Living Desert Reserve of Palm Desert.

Legal FYI

Nov 1, 2001

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

An Orange County Superior Court judge has reversed a portion of a $94.5 million judgment against the City of San Diego in an inverse condemnation case. Judge Raymond Ikola approved the city's request for a new trial on $29.2 million worth of damages related to breach of contract, but he upheld a jury's remaining $65.3 million award to businessman Roque de la Fuente II.

Legal FYI

Nov 1, 2001

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

The validity of a growth-control initiative in Alameda County has been upheld by a trial court. Superior Court Judge James Richardson in October issued final orders in a case filed by homebuilders over Measure D, which voters approved in November 2000 (see CP&DR, December 2000).

Legal FYI

Nov 1, 2001

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

Farmers in the Klamath Basin of far northern California and southern Oregon have filed a $1 billion takings lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation over the government's decision to greatly reduce water delivery to farms in the area (see CP&DR Environment Watch, October 2001).

2001 Land Use Bills

Nov 1, 2001

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

A digest of the fate of the sundry land use bills that crossed passed the governor's desk in 2001. A predominant proportion of the bills that made it to Gov. Davis' desk were signed into law.

Building Industry Allowed to Defend Suit Over San Diego Plan

Nov 1, 2001

Legal Digest, other, Vol. 16 No. 11 Nov 2001

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed members of the building industry to intervene in a lawsuit that environmentalists filed regarding the San Diego Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP).

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