Conservation Easement Enforced in Sonoma County
The firm prevails in a landmark case to enforce a conservation easement protecting sensitive lands in Bennett Valley (Sonoma County) on behalf of the Sonoma Land Trust. After a 19-day trial, the court orders the violators to pay to restore the property. (Sonoma Land Trust v. Thompson.) Image by SMW
Successful Construction Defect Litigation Settlement
On behalf of the City of Half Moon Bay, the firm successfully settled a construction defect litigation case regarding a cracked pedestrian trail/bike path. The City recovered close to $500,000 from its public works and construction management contractor and its construction contractor’s surety to fund repair and reconstruction of the trail.
Non-Profit Compliance with Public Contracting Laws
The firm provides ongoing advice to California Trout regarding compliance with public contracting and labor and wage laws for state-funded restoration projects.
Best Practices Updates
The firm updates various cities’ template contracts to reflect updates to California’s public contracting law and best practices. The firm provides training to City staff on negotiating and entering contracts.
All-Electric Reach Codes
In 2019 the Firm advises a number of local jurisdictions and NGOs, including the Building Decarbonization Coalition, the Rocky Mountain Institute, Redwood Energy, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Peninsula Clean Energy, the City of Cupertino, and the City of San Luis Obispo, on the authority of local jurisdictions to phase out natural gas in buildings. […]
Warehouse Approval in Residential Neighborhood Rescinded
After the firm files a CEQA lawsuit challenging the City of Fresno’s approval of a large warehouse distribution center across the street from a residential community, the City rescinds the approval in 2019. (Southern Central Neighbors United v. City of Fresno.)
Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Distribution
The firm represents the Environmental Defense Fund in proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission, successfully advocating EDF’s position that utilities be required to implement best available technology and practices to reduce methane emissions from the natural gas distribution systems. In 2019 the Commission adopts a decision reducing utilities’ rate recovery for these emissions.
Developer Withdraws Plans for San Diego County Sprawl Project
Thanks in large part to the firm’s advocacy on behalf of the Endangered Habitats League, in 2019 an applicant withdraws its plans to develop the Warner Ranch project just before it was slated for its hearing before the San Diego County Planning Commission. The project, widely recognized as yet another leapfrog development in San Diego’s […]
Project Descriptions in CEQA: Too Much Flexibility Is a Bad Thing
Photo credit: Sharon VanderKaay, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 In Stopthemilleniumhollywood.com v. City of Los Angeles, 39 Cal.App.5th 1 (2019), the Second District Court of Appeal provided further guidance regarding how specific or flexible a project description can be when undergoing CEQA analysis. The applicant proposed a mixed use development that included the historic Hollywood Capitol Records Tower as well as residences, retail, offices, restaurants, parking, a […]
Triannual State Building Code Update Presents an Opportunity for Local Governments to Decarbonize Homes and Buildings
As part of California’s effort to tackle climate change, local jurisdictions throughout the state are taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions from homes and buildings. Such efforts play a vital role in achieving the state’s ambitious climate goals. These goals include generating 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045, as required by SB 100; achieving […]