Big Win for Marin County’s Agriculture Zoning
The Ninth Circuit rejects the expansion of urban land uses into Marin County’s “beautiful rural landscape,” holding that the landowner’s facial challenge and equal protection claim are barred by the statute of limitations and the County’s zoning is neither arbitrary or irrational. (Barancik v. County of Marin, 872 F.2d 834 (9th Cir. 1988).)
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).)
San Francisco Releases Its Downtown Plan
The firm represents the City of San Francisco in connection with the environmental review for the much anticipated Downtown Plan, released to the public in 1983. Later, the Firm assists the City in the creation of a transferable development rights ordinance to protect its historic structures.
Protection of Open Space and Groundwater
The firm obtains an appellate ruling rejecting a constitutional challenge to Santa Cruz County’s denial of landowners’ request for rezoning, protecting open space and groundwater. (Blodgett v. Santa Cruz County, 698 F.2d 368 (9th Cir. 1982).)
SMW Helps Redevelopment Agency Complete Yerba Buena Center EIR
In 1982 the firm represents the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in connection with the environmental impact report for the Yerba Buena Center redevelopment, including the Yerba Buena Gardens and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
SMW Becomes General Counsel to the Alameda County Waste Management Authority
In 1982 the firm is retained as General Counsel to the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, an agency devoted to sustainability and waste reduction.
Protection of Open Space
The firm successfully defends Tiburon in a landmark, unanimous takings case before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the Town’s open space ordinance. The Supreme Court requires courts to defer to local agencies’ regulation of land use. (Agins v. Tiburon, 447 U.S. 255 (1980).)