CP&DR

San Pedro Infill Project Presents Conundrum

Sep 24, 2007

Local Watch, Los Angeles County, Paul Shigley, Regional planning, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

Regional planning strategies are not necessarily compatible with local desires, especially when satisfying regional needs means putting a bunch more cars on already overburdened streets.

No Subdivision Rules: Take That To The (Mitigation) Bank

Sep 24, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Endangered Species Act, Legal Digest, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

The creation of a "land bank" and the subsequent sale of mitigation credits within the bank is not subject to requirements of the Subdivision Map Act, according to the attorney general's office.

What's A Business Worth? City Says Not Much; Court Disagrees

Sep 24, 2007

CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Redevelopment, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

An appellate court has upheld the awarding of $200,000 for lost goodwill to a business owner whose shop was taken by the Inglewood Redevelopment Agency, even though the business had mostly lost money.

Highway 4 Dedication Demand Ruled Constitutional

Sep 24, 2007

Contra Costa County, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Takings, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

The requirement that two Antioch property owners dedicate land for a new highway bypass when they develop their property is constitutional, the First District Court of Appeal has ruled.

Billboard Company's Lawsuit Tossed For Lack Of Standing

Sep 24, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

A billboard company may not bring a California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit over the City of West Hollywood's amended sign ordinance, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled.

Court Smacks Down EIR Request And Other Court's Different Ruling

Sep 24, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legal Digest, Los Angeles County, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

A new environmental impact report is not required for a drastically modified high-rise project proposed in downtown Los Angeles, because there is substantial evidence that a 2005 addendum to a 1989 EIR was sufficient, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled.

Court Defers On General Plan, Density Bonuses

Sep 24, 2007

General plans, Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Solano County, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

In a decision deferential to city officials, an appellate court has upheld the City of Vacaville's approval of an 860-acre project as compatible with the general plan. The decision also provides the first published ruling on the recently amended state density bonus law, which the court applies very broadly.

Lawmakers Approve Flood Measures

Sep 24, 2007

California, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

What a difference a year can make.

During the final days of the 2006 legislative session, a package of bills intended to force better coordination between flood control and land use planning in the Central Valley and Bay Delta region died amid a deluge of acrimony. This year, however, state lawmakers approved six bills similar to measures that failed last year.

LA, SD Try To Maintain Downtown Affordability

Sep 24, 2007

California, Downtown planning, Innovations, Morris Newman, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

Just as a well-aimed bowling ball can be expected to knock down all ten pins and boost a bowler to a top score, many planners believe that a well-written zoning ordinance can steer the housing market toward socially beneficial ends. There is a difference between a bowling lane, however, and a downtown area.

Second District Court Rejects EIR and Halts Playa Vista Development

Sep 24, 2007

CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Los Angeles County, Vol. 22 No. 10 Oct 2007

Playa Vista development in Los Angeles gets put on hold again, Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge tells city and UC to play nice, a San Luis Obispo landowner sues after winning approval to develop, State Auditor keeps busy with both good marks and ultimatums, and Glendale approves two residential towers downtown.

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