SMW Thwarts Developer Attempt to Circumvent General Plan Policies for Historic Town Center
On behalf of Save Our Historic Town Center, the firm successfully challenges a massive development in the heart of downtown San Juan Capistrano that is flatly inconsistent with the City’s general plan policies for that historic area. (Save Our Historic Town Center v. City of San Juan Capistrano (2016).)
Recognition for a Supreme Court Victory
SMW partner Kevin Bundy receives the California Lawyer’s Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award for his role, while at the Center for Biological Diversity, in obtaining a decision from the California Supreme Court overturning the greenhouse gas analysis for the Newhall Ranch project in L.A. County. (Center for Biological Diversity v. Cal. Dept. of Fish […]
Greenhouse Gas Emission Thresholds Upheld
The firm defends the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in litigation challenging its CEQA thresholds of significance. After a ruling of the California Supreme Court, the majority of the thresholds are upheld. (California Building Industry Assn. v. BAAQMD, 62 Cal.4th 369 (2015).)
Court Overturns End-Run to Subdivision Map Act
The firm prevails in the court of appeal in a case of first impression challenging Contra Costa County’s approval of a subdivision on agricultural land adjacent to Marsh Creek State Park without Subdivision Map Act compliance. (Save Mount Diablo v. Contra Costa County, 240 Cal.App.4th 1368 (2015).)
Jury Finds in Favor of TJPA
Photo Credit: Rendering by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, courtesy of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority The firm wins a victory on behalf of the Transbay Joint Powers Agency in an eminent domain jury trial to acquire a five-story office building to be demolished for the Transit Center, bus ramp, and rail tunnel. (City and County […]
Columbia State Historic Park Protected From Mine Expansion
In response to litigation by the firm, Tuolumne County agrees to rescind its approval of the expansion of a limestone mine near Columbia State Historic Park and to prepare an environmental impact report for the project. (Central Sierra Env’l Resource Ctr. v. Tuolumne County (2014).)
Victory for Environmental Justice in Southern California
The firm successfully defends the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s regulation of airborne arsenic and other toxic air pollutants against a challenge by a lead acid battery recycling facility in a predominantly low-income, Latino neighborhood in Vernon, California. Following the firm’s victory in Los Angeles Superior Court, the facility shuts down in 2015. (Exide […]
SMW Litigation Stops Massive Resort on Dyer Mountain
After years of litigation by the firm on behalf of the Mountain Meadows Conservancy, Sierra Watch and the Sierra Club, the developer of a large ski resort on Dyer Mountain in rural Lassen County abandons the project. The Lassen County Board of Supervisors then rescinds the project approvals. (Mountain Meadows Conservancy et al. v. Lassen […]
Firm Prevails In Commercial Lease Litigation on Alameda Waterfront
The firm successfully defends the City of Alameda’s decision to not renew a commercial lease of its waterfront property, allowing the City to retain the largest ship repair facility in the Bay Area. (Alameda Gateway, Ltd. v. City of Alameda (2013).) On behalf of the City, the firm negotiates a new direct lease with the […]
Household Hazardous Waste Fee Upheld
The firm advises the Alameda County Waste Management Authority in its 2013 adoption of a fee to recover the costs of administering the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste program. The firm successfully defends the fee in subsequent litigation. (Crawley v. Alameda Cty. Waste Mgmt. Auth., 243 Cal. App. 4th 396, 196 Cal. Rptr. 3d 365 (2015).)