In Abatti v. Imperial Irrigation District (2012) 2012 Cal.App. LEXIS 496, the court considered whether the substantial evidence, rather than the “fair argument,” test applies to determine whether further environmental review is warranted for a subsequent approval where the agency has initially adopted a negative declaration for the project. In 2006, the irrigation district adopted … Continue Reading
In Sierra Club v. Napa County Board of Supervisors (2012) 2012 Cal.App. LEXIS 454, the Sierra Club challenged a lot line adjustment ordinance adopted by Napa County, which allowed lot line adjustments under the Subdivision Map Act on parcels that had previously been adjusted, as long as the prior lot line adjustment has been completed … Continue Reading
In Neighbors for Smart Rail v. Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority (2012 Cal.App. LEXIS 434), the Second Appellate District upheld the lead agency’s determination that a future 2030 baseline was proper for determining the significance of traffic and air quality impacts caused by a proposed light rail project in Los Angeles. The EIR at issue … Continue Reading
On March 6, 2012, the San Francisco Chronicle published an article entitled “Costly, lengthy appeals part of S.F.’s culture.” (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/06/MNB21N1TA9.DTL.) The article highlights how San Francisco’s environmental appeal process and environmental litigation are often used to stall and kill projects within San Francisco. The article noted that in 2011, eleven CEQA lawsuits were filed challenging … Continue Reading
In an unpublished decision, Landwatch San Luis Obispo v. Cambria Community Serv. Dist., 2d Civil No. B229545 (2012), the Court upheld a trial court’s cost award of $14,615.41 to the Cambria Community Service District for time spent preparing the administrative record. The District initially sought almost $24,000. In reaching the amount awarded, the trial court … Continue Reading
Sacramento, January 25, 2012. Today Governor Brown released a package of CEQA reforms designed to simplify and expedite the approval process for key job-creating projects in California. The package of CEQA reforms provide the regulatory changes necessary to implement SB 226 (Simitian), which the Governor signed October. Upon finalization, these reforms will simplify the approval … Continue Reading
