Updates and Articles
Voters approve SMW-drafted Short Term Rental Initiative
In 2018 voters in Pacific Grove pass an initiative, drafted by the firm, that prohibits short-term rentals in most residential neighborhoods in the City.
Read MoreMinnesota Leads the Midwest With New Clean Energy Rules
On behalf of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the firm succeeds in pushing Minnesota to completely overhaul its rules for the interconnection of solar to the grid in 2018, adopting some of the most progressive rules in the Midwest and helping the state achieve its ambitious clean energy goals.
Read MoreNevada Streamlines Process For Installing Energy Storage
On behalf of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the firm in 2018 successfully advocates for new rules to make the process of installing energy storage systems on Nevada's distribution system more efficient and cost-effective.
Read MoreHalf Moon Bay Voters Adopt First of Its Kind Cannabis Nursery Ordinance
In 2018, Half Moon Bay voters consider five cannabis measures, including a first-of-its-kind cannabis nursery ordinance drafted by the firm. The nursery ordinance and related tax measure pass.
Read MoreCapitola Trestle Initiative Upheld
Photo Credit: Will Mayall Capitola residents submit an initiative to ensure that the Capitola Trestle will be preserved and maintained for bicyclists and pedestrians. The firm successfully defends the measure in a pre-election challenge brought by the City (City of Capitola v. Fridy). Capitola voters pass the initiative in November 2018.
Read MoreAppellate Court Strikes Down Development Agreement Initiative
The firm and Earthjustice prevail in challenging an initiative that purported to approve a development agreement for the World Logistics Center, a massive warehouse project near low-income communities in Riverside County. The court of appeal holds that local initiatives may not be used to adopt development agreements. (Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice v. City of Moreno, 26 Cal.App.5th 689 (2018).)
Read MoreVoting Rights Protected in Arizona
Following litigation by the firm, the Campaign Legal Center, and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, the State of Arizona agrees to change its overly burdensome and illegal requirement that voters provide documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. (League of United Latin American Citizens v. Arizona Secretary of State.)
Read MoreHistoric Post Office Saved
The firm successfully defends the City of Berkeley's Civic Center Historic District and protects the historic Berkeley Main Post Office from conversion to a commercial use. (U.S. Postal Service v. City of Berkeley (2018).)
Read MoreMobile Home Rent Control Upheld Against Takings Challenge
Photo credit: Sarah Schwartz The firm obtains a ruling by the Ninth Circuit overturning a multi-million dollar jury verdict against the City of Carson in a regulatory takings challenge to a mobile home rent control ordinance, preserving affordable homes. (Colony Cove Properties, LLC v. City of Carson, 888 F.3d 445 (9th Cir. 2018).)
Read MoreSMW Partner Teaching at Stanford Law School
Andrew Schwartz recently became a Lecturer at Stanford Law School where he teaches a course on Land Use Law.
Read MoreProtecting Ag Land from Development
The firm successfully represented the Cleveland National Forest Foundation in challenging San Diego County's approval of a residential subdivision on ranchland protected under the Williamson Act. The Court of Appeal held that such projects are permissible only where homes would support the land's agricultural use.
Read MoreSMW Victory in the Ninth Circuit
Photo Credit: Tim Evanson, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 The Court rejected a billboard developer's challenge to Alameda County's sign ordinance, and upheld a rare award of attorneys' fees to a prevailing defendant, on the grounds the lawsuit was frivolous. Read the court's opinion at https://www.smwlaw.com/files/Citizens_Free_Speech_v._County_of_Alameda.pdf
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