Gaviota Coast Protected
On behalf of Surfrider, the firm secures denial of a coastal development permit extension for the Dos Pueblos golf course along Santa Barbara’s rural Gaviota coast in 2001. Seventeen years later the firm negotiates a settlement that permits the development of two homes on the property, while allowing for public access to the coast and […]
Airport Expansion Requires Meaningful Noise Analysis
The firm succeeds in a CEQA challenge to a large expansion of the Oakland International Airport, obtaining a landmark appellate ruling that the environmental impact report must analyze the project’s severe noise impacts on nearby residents. (Berkeley Keep Jets Over the Bay Committee v. Bd. of Port Comm’rs, 91 Cal.App.4th 1344 (2001).)
SMW Lawsuit Compels State to Address Toxic Hot Spots in Waters
The firm wins a case requiring state water quality regulators to implement a statute addressing “toxic hot spots” in state waters. (DeltaKeeper v. State Water Resources Control Board (2001).)
SMW Helps Defeat Proposal to Weaken Zoning Protecting Placer County Timberlands
The firm assists Sierra Watch and Mountain Area Preservation in defeating a proposal in 2001 to amend Placer County’s zoning regulations to allow ski lifts and ski runs as “permitted uses” in the County’s Timberland Production Zones.
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.
SMW Protects Stanford Foothills
Thanks to advocacy by the firm and its client Committee for Green Foothills, Santa Clara County in 2000 adopts an “Academic Growth Boundary,” limiting Stanford University’s ability to expand into the foothills for 25 years.
Successful Negotiations Protect American River Water Resources
The firm assists the Water Forum in its adoption in 2000 of a landmark agreement among multiple stakeholders that sets the allocation of water from the American River Watershed.
Court Blocks Rezoning of Agricultural Lands in San Diego Backcountry
The firm wins a CEQA case challenging San Diego County’s rezoning of 200,000 acres of farmland in the County’s backcountry. The court states: “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” (Save Our Forest and Ranchlands v. San Diego County (2000).)
SMW Litigation Leads to Permanent Preservation of Barham Ranch in Orange County.
The firm prevails in litigation to preserve Barham Ranch, a wilderness area of 526 acres in northeastern Orange County. The Ranch is now a regional park. (Orange Park Association v. Serrano Water District (2000).)