Conservation Victory for the California Gnatcatcher in the West Coyote Hills, City of Fullerton
Blue-gray gnatcatcher, a closely related species to the California gnatcatcher. Photo credit: Becky Matsubara, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 Voters in Fullerton pass a referendum, drafted by the firm, that overturns the City’s approval of a development agreement for a sprawling subdivision in the West Coyote Hills, home to the threatened California gnatcatcher. Following subsequent litigation […]
A Vote to Protect Open Space in San Clemente
Voters in San Clemente pass a referendum in 2008 against the Pacific Golf Club project, which was to be located in one of the City’s largest open space areas. The firm drafts the referendum and successfully defends its sponsor’s ballot argument in court.
Napa County Voters Extend Initiative Protecting Agricultural Land
The firm drafts an initiative that extends Measure J, the agricultural protection initiative drafted by the firm in 1990 and upheld by the California Supreme Court in 1995, for another 50 years. In 2008 Napa County voters pass the initiative overwhelmingly.
City Reverses Course on Monster Home Ordinance
After the firm files a referendum on behalf of a community group against a Menlo Park ordinance that would have eased restrictions on monster homes, the City Council in 2004 votes to rescind the ordinance.
Voters in City of Orange Pass Referendum of Sprawl Development Project
Voters in the City of Orange in 2004 pass a referendum, drafted by the firm, that rejects the Fieldstone project, which would have allowed sprawl development on 110 acres of valuable open space.
Los Altos Hills Adopts Initiative to Preserve Public Open Space
After a grassroots group in Los Altos Hills qualifies an initiative, drafted by the firm, to preserve 157 acres of public open space and recreation lands, the City Council in 2003 adopts the measure outright.
Watsonville Urban Growth Boundary Approved
Voters in Watsonville in 2002 pass an initiative, drafted by the firm, establishing an urban growth boundary around the City.
SMW Defends Urban Growth Boundary Initiative and Stops City’s SLAPP Suit
The firm successfully defends against litigation by the City of Marina challenging an urban growth boundary initiative drafted by the firm and adopted by the City’s voters. The court holds that the City’s suit against the measure is an unlawful strategic lawsuit against public participation (“SLAPP”). (City of Marina v. Landwatch (2001).)
Referendum Leads to Permanent Preservation of “Bahia” Wetlands in Novato
Voters in Novato in 2001 pass a referendum, drafted by the firm, that overturns the approval of a large subdivision on the biologically rich “Bahia” property, at the mouth of the Petaluma River. Later, the land is purchased for permanent conservation.
Voters in San Juan Capistrano Pass Referendum of Gated Subdivision on Wetlands
Voters in San Juan Capistrano in 2002 pass a referendum, drafted by the firm, reversing the City’s approval of “Whispering Hills,” a gated subdivision that would have filled wetlands and cut a road through prominent ridgelines.