Marin County Comprehensive General Plan Update Approved
The firm’s attorneys and planners represent Marin County in the award-winning 2007 update of its General Plan and resulting amendments to the County’s Development Code to implement wetland and stream conservation programs.
Court Upholds Infill Development Involving Reuse of Historic Theatre
Photo Credit: BWChicago, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 The firm advises and successfully defends the City of Alameda in a suit challenging a redevelopment project in downtown Alameda involving the restoration of the historic Alameda Theatre and the construction of an adjacent cineplex with parking to subsidize the restoration effort. (Citizens for a Megaplex-Free Alameda v. […]
Saratoga Completes New Trail Designated Part of Historic De Anza Trail
In 2007 the firm advises the City of Saratoga in environmental review and obtaining rights-of-way for an urban trail that was subsequently designated as part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in 2017. Photo: Image by NAME from SOURCE
California Supreme Court Upholds Local Logging Regulations
The firm successfully defends Santa Cruz County in the California Supreme Court against a lumber company’s claim that state law preempted the County’s authority to regulate logging through zoning. (Big Creek Lumber Co. v. County of Santa Cruz, 38 Cal.4th 1139 (2006).)
California Supreme Court Upholds Goleta’s Denial of Subdivision Map
The firm serves as part of the legal team that obtains a ruling from the California Supreme Court upholding the discretion of a newly-formed city to deny a final subdivision map where the county had earlier granted a vesting tentative map. (City of Goleta v. Superior Court, 40 Cal.4th 270 (2006).)
New Bike Trail Created with SMW’s Assistance
With the firm’s help, the City of Pacifica in 2006 resolves neighboring landowners’ objections and closes San Pedro Terrace Road to automobile traffic — the first step toward creating an off-highway bike path linking Pacifica to points south.
SMW 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.
Protected: SMW Defends the City of Lafayette in Complex Land Use Litigation
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Appellate Court Victory Protects Saratoga Residents From Community College’s Noisy Athletic Stadium
The firm wins an appellate court case for the City of Saratoga, requiring a school district’s athletic stadium to comply with the City’s zoning ordinance. (Saratoga v. West Valley-Mission Community College District (2002).)
Appellate Court Win Upholds Referendum of Pre-Zoning for Development
In an appellate court victory, the firm successfully defends a referendum of the City of Pleasanton’s pre-zoning of property for development and convinces the court that the referendum does not create inconsistencies with the City’s general plan. (Merritt v. City of Pleasanton, 89 Cal.App.4th 1032 (2001).)