Processing Housing Construction Projects Under State and Local Shelter-in-Place Orders
Governor Issues Statewide Shelter-in-Place Order After declaring a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 on March 19, 2020. The statewide Order directed all California residents to stay home, except for workers in 16 “critical infrastructure sectors.” Construction was not included in these original 16 sectors. […]
Court Overturns Sprawl Development in Wildfire Risk Zone
The firm successfully challenges San Diego County’s 2019 approval of the Harmony Grove Village South Project, which would have brought sprawl development to a fire-prone, rural area of the County.
Colorado River Indian Tribes Secure Crucial Revisions to New Transmission Line Project
In order to serve urban customers with solar energy generated in the Southwest desert, DCR Transmission LLC proposed building a 125-mile transmission line across parts of Arizona and California. The Firm assisted the Colorado River Indian Tribes in participating before state and federal agencies in multi-year approval proceedings. Ultimately, the Tribes secured a revised route […]
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.