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).)
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).)
SMW Protects Historic District
The firm stops a developer from constructing an upscale high-rise in Oakland’s historic Waterfront Warehouse District. A court finds alternatives existed to provide the needed housing without harming the environment. (JLNA v. City of Oakland (1999).)
Tahoe Jet Ski Ban Upheld
The firm defeats a federal court challenge to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s imposition of a ban on jet skis. As a result, U.S. manufacturers cease producing 2-stroke polluting engines. (Lake Tahoe Watercraft Recreation Assn. v. TRPA, 24 F.Supp.2d 1062 (1998).)
Protected: Appellate Court Rejects Takings Challenge to Denial of Hillside Subdivision
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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.
SMW Defends Agricultural Preservation Initiative in City of Ventura
The firm successfully defeats a challenge to an agricultural preservation initiative passed by the voters of the City of Ventura. (FAIR v. City of San Buenaventura (1997).)
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 […]
SMW Helps City of Ventura Form Special Assessment District
Photo Credit: Ken Lund, Flickr The firm assists the City of Ventura in establishing a special assessment district to fund the removal of silt from the Ventura Keys, and then represents the City in its successful defense of a legal challenge to the district. (Aggen v. City of San Buenaventura (1997).)