California Supreme Court Upholds Napa County Initiative
The firm successfully defends Napa County in a California Supreme Court case challenging Measure J, a farmland protection initiative drafted by the firm. In a ground-breaking ruling, the court holds that voters have the right to amend general plans by initiative. (DeVita v. County of Napa, 9 Cal.4th 763 (1995).)
Appellate Court Rejects Challenge to Initiative Drafted by SMW
Photo Credit: Clotee Pridgen Allochuku, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons The firm succeeds in defending a pre-election challenge to an initiative measure that it drafted to protect farmland in Stanislaus County. (Save Stanislaus Area Farm Economy v. Bd. of Supervisors, 13 Cal.App.4th 141 (1993).)
IT Corporation Must Close Its Facility in Conformance With County Regulations
The firm advises the City of Benicia on the required environmental standards for closure of the Class I hazardous waste facility adjacent to the City, and files an amicus brief in the California Supreme Court arguing, as the Court rules, that the landfill operator is subject to County regulations. (IT Corporation v. Solano County, 1 […]
Challenge to Santa Cruz County’s Mobile Home Rent Control Ordinance Is Time Barred
The firm prevails in arguing that the mobile home park owner’s cause of action accrued when the County enacted the mobile home rent control ordinance, not when the ordinance was later amended or each time that a mobile home is sold to a new tenant. (De Anza Properties X v. County of Santa Cruz, 936 […]
Protected: Groundbreaking Commercial Housing Fee Upheld
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Important Wetlands Protected
The firm represents Save the Bay and the National Audubon Association as intervenors in the successful defense, in the Ninth Circuit, of the Army Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction over property that government actions had helped make aquatic. (Leslie Salt Co. v. U.S, 896 F.2d 354 (9th Cir. 1990).)
Appellate Court Issues Landmark Decision Invalidating Approval of Industrial Project in Kings County
The firm prevails in challenging a coal-fired cogeneration facility in the City of Hanford. The court of appeal’s landmark ruling holds that the environmental impact report must analyze the project’s cumulative impacts on air quality. (Kings County Farm Bureau v. City of Hanford, 221 Cal.App.3d 692 (1990).)
Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Takings Action Against Butte County
The firm obtains dismissal of action alleging that the County of Butte unlawfully denied developer’s proposals for obtaining sewer service. The Ninth Circuit affirms the District Court’s decision that developer’s takings claims were not ripe for adjudication and the U.S. Supreme Court denies cert. (St. Claire v. City of Chico and County of Butte, 880 […]
Court Prevents Town from Enforcing Code on Tribal Lands
The firm obtains a federal court order declaring that the Town of Parker lacked jurisdiction to enforce its building and zoning ordinances on lands owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes. (Colorado River Indian Tribes v. Town of Parker, 705 F.Supp. 473 (1989).)
Environmental Review Required for Wetland Fill Permit
On behalf of Save the Bay and other environmental groups, the firm, together with the Attorney General’s office, prevails in a federal case holding that the Army Corps of Engineers must prepare an environmental impact statement for a permit to fill wetlands at the Oakland Airport site. (People of State of Calif. v. Marsh, 687 […]