If Your Community Is Concerned About the Threat of Wildfire, Here Is Some Useful Information
Introduction The risk of wildfire is increasing in both significance and prevalence in California. Wildfire poses a significant risk to public health and safety, economies, infrastructure and natural resources. This article addresses statewide actions recently taken by the Legislature and provides additional actions that local agencies can take to reduce the risk of wildfires and […]
Multi-Million Dollar Naming Rights Agreement for a Public Facility
In coordination with special counsel, the firm assisted the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) in the negotiation of a 2017 agreement for the rights to name the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco. The agreement will produce more than $110 million in aggregate escalated revenue over the 25-year term, offsetting the cost to operate the […]
SMW Drafts and Defends Ballot Measure to Protect San Jose’s General Plan
In 2018, on behalf of the City of San Jose, the firm drafts and defends a first-of-its kind charter amendment to prevent a developer-sponsored initiative from gutting the City’s General Plan.
Land Exchange Agreement Allows Pier 70 Project to Move Forward
Representing the Port of San Francisco, SMW in 2018 successfully negotiates an agreement with the state for a trust land exchange to allow for the rehabilitation of historic industrial buildings and the development of a new urban neighborhood on the city’s waterfront. The firm drafted the state legislation authorizing the exchange (AB 418).
Affordable Housing Project Opens at Candlestick Point
Residents move into 306 units of affordable housing at the Alice Griffith Community at Candlestick Point, on land the Firm helps acquire and entitle, including the prosecution of quiet title litigation that successfully defends the public ownership of the site. (Successor Agency v. All Persons (2017).)
Firearm Storage Ordinance Approved
The firm advises the City of Saratoga in 2018 in adopting an ordinance regulating the storage of firearms in the home.
Half Moon Bay Voters Adopt First of Its Kind Cannabis Nursery Ordinance
In 2018, Half Moon Bay voters consider five cannabis measures, including a first-of-its-kind cannabis nursery ordinance drafted by the firm. The nursery ordinance and related tax measure pass.
Appellate Court Strikes Down Development Agreement Initiative
The firm and Earthjustice prevail in challenging an initiative that purported to approve a development agreement for the World Logistics Center, a massive warehouse project near low-income communities in Riverside County. The court of appeal holds that local initiatives may not be used to adopt development agreements. (Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice v. […]
Historic Post Office Saved
The firm successfully defends the City of Berkeley’s Civic Center Historic District and protects the historic Berkeley Main Post Office from conversion to a commercial use. (U.S. Postal Service v. City of Berkeley (2018).)
Mobile Home Rent Control Upheld Against Takings Challenge
Photo credit: Sarah Schwartz The firm obtains a ruling by the Ninth Circuit overturning a multi-million dollar jury verdict against the City of Carson in a regulatory takings challenge to a mobile home rent control ordinance, preserving affordable homes. (Colony Cove Properties, LLC v. City of Carson, 888 F.3d 445 (9th Cir. 2018).)