SMW Enforces Fairfield’s Urban Growth Boundary
On behalf of the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee, the firm successfully challenges Solano County’s approval of a large subdivision development proposed on lands serving as an important buffer between urban development and working farms and natural open space. The Project would have required water and sewer services from the City of Fairfield in contravention […]
SMW Serves Half Moon Bay as City Attorney
In 2017 the firm is selected to serve as the City Attorney of Half Moon Bay.
Defending Local Control of Land Use
By Andrew Schwartz Odds are that President Trump’s Executive Order calling for “review” of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and designation of national monuments are just the start of his administration’s efforts to eviscerate federal regulations that protect the environment. The potential dismantling of federal environmental protections presents an opportunity for states and local governments […]
Facebook Settlement Promotes Affordable Housing
The firm represents the City of East Palo Alto in negotiating a settlement with Facebook in 2016 that results in a $20 million fund for affordable housing and requirements for job training for City residents.
SMW Thwarts Developer Attempt to Circumvent General Plan Policies for Historic Town Center
On behalf of Save Our Historic Town Center, the firm successfully challenges a massive development in the heart of downtown San Juan Capistrano that is flatly inconsistent with the City’s general plan policies for that historic area. (Save Our Historic Town Center v. City of San Juan Capistrano (2016).)
Legislation Passes Authorizing Mission Rock Project on Giants Parking Lot Site
In 2016 the state legislature enacts legislation (AB 2797), drafted by the firm for the Port of San Francisco, authorizing the development of the Mission Rock project on the site of a surface parking lot. The project includes 40% affordable housing and a five-acre waterfront park on China Basin Park.
SMW Advises Orinda Throughout Wilder Development Process
The Art & Garden Center opens at the Wilder playfields in Orinda in 2016 — a substantial community amenity resulting from a Development Agreement negotiated by the firm following its successful defense of a takings case brought by the developer against the City.
SMW Advises SAFCA on Local Funding Mechanisms for Flood Control
From 2007 through 2016, the firm advises the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency on the formation of assessment districts to fund the local share of flood control improvements, providing benefits to approximately 160,000 properties.
Court Overturns End-Run to Subdivision Map Act
The firm prevails in the court of appeal in a case of first impression challenging Contra Costa County’s approval of a subdivision on agricultural land adjacent to Marsh Creek State Park without Subdivision Map Act compliance. (Save Mount Diablo v. Contra Costa County, 240 Cal.App.4th 1368 (2015).)
SMW Leads Sale of Land for Transit Oriented Development in San Francisco
The firm helps the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) and the successor to the San Francisco redevelopment agency negotiate the 2015 sale of land for the development of Park Tower. Later, the firm negotiates the sale of Parcel F, the future site of the fourth tallest building in San Francisco, bringing the total land sale […]