Settlement Protects Thousands of Acres of Viticulture and Open Space, Leading to Plan that Ensures City Centered Growth
The firm helps the City of Livermore negotiate a complex settlement agreement that results in 1998 in the award-winning South Livermore Valley Specific Plan. The Plan allows focused development, curbs urban sprawl, and protects over 5,000 acres of viticulture and open space.
Federal Court Invalidates Approval of Hatton Canyon Freeway in Monterey County
The firm prevails in a federal court challenge to the Hatton Canyon Freeway, a proposed freeway that would have devastated a large Monterey Pine forest just east of Carmel. The federal and state transportation agencies drop the project, and the land becomes a regional park. (City of Carmel-by-the-Sea v. U.S. Dept. of Transportation, 123 F.3d […]
Transfer of Development Rights Program in Livermore Protects Thousands of Acres of Land
In 1993 the firm begins its work with the Tri-Valley Conservancy and the City of Livermore to establish an urban growth boundary and protect thousands of acres of vineyards, olive orchards, and open space through more than 48 conservation easements and transfers of development rights.
SMW Joins Individuals and Local Agencies in Opposing State’s Approval of Timber Harvest Plan
The Firm makes repeated trips to the Court of Appeal to extend the restraining order it obtained barring logging of redwood trees on property located on Lucas Valley Road in Marin County. Redwood trees prevail as a settlement is eventually reached with the forester. (County of Marin v. California Department of Forestry (1985).)
Decades After Hard Fought Battle with Developer, Park Visitors Are Beneficiaries of Settlement Agreement
With the firm’s assistance, residents of Coldwater Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains successfully scale back a large development project, resulting in the creation of Coldwater Canyon Park. The Park is home to TreePeople’s headquarters, a nursery, conference center, amphitheater and miles of trails.