Updates and Articles
Successful Defense of Transbay Transit Center
Photo credit: Sergio Ruiz, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 The firm and the San Francisco City Attorney's office in 2005 successfully defend the Transbay Joint Powers Agency against challenges to its CEQA/NEPA compliance for the Transit Center, Downtown Rail Extension, and associated redevelopment.
Read MoreSMW Defends Ability Of NGOs to Enforce Clean Water Act
The firm obtains a ruling from the Ninth Circuit holding that an environmental organization gave adequate notice of its intent to sue under the Clean Water Act. (Waterkeepers Northern Cal. v. AG Industrial Manufacturing, Inc. (2004).)
Read MoreCourt Upholds Lake Tahoe Scenic Regulations
Representing the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the firm secures a federal court victory in a regulatory takings challenge to TRPA's scenic regulations that apply to development on Lake Tahoe. (Committee for Reasonable Regulation of Lake Tahoe v. TRPA, 311 F.Supp.2d 972 (2004).)
Read MoreAcquisition of Property for Transit Oriented Development
The firm represents the Transbay Joint Powers Agency in the acquisition of 26 properties for the Transbay Transit Center project over ten years starting in 2005, including 13 eminent domain actions.
Read MoreCity 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.
Read MoreSMW Helps Community Stop A Flawed High-Voltage Transmission Line
In 2004 the firm represents Riverside County residents before the California Public Utilities Commission, which rejects a deeply flawed San Diego Gas & Electric Company proposal to build a high-voltage transmission line directly through their communities and scenic areas.
Read MoreSMW Advises Merced County on University Community Plan
Photo Credit: Qymekkam, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Assisted by the firm, Merced County in 2004 adopts the University Community Plan for the land uses and infrastructure necessary to support the new UC Merced campus.
Read MoreVoters 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.
Read MoreNinth Circuit Rules that EPA’s Waiver Decision Violates the Clean Air Act
Representing intervenor South Coast Air Quality Management District, the firm joins California Air Resources Board's challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency's denial of California's request for a waiver. The Ninth Circuit holds that EPA's action violated the Clean Air Act. (Gray Davis v. U.S. EPA, 348 F.3d 772 (9th Cir. 2003).)
Read MorePublic-Private Partnership Preserves Public Access to Historic Gardens
In 2003 the firm assists the City of Saratoga in developing an innovative public-private partnership for the management of one of the oldest Japanese garden estates in the Western Hemisphere. The Hakone Gardens were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Read MoreSMW Litigation Results in Funding for Open Space in Truckee Area
After prevailing in litigation challenging the “Old Greenwood” development in the Town of Truckee, the firm in 2003 helps Mountain Area Preservation negotiate a settlement that results in significant funding for open space in the Truckee area.
Read MoreLos 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.
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