Updates and Articles
Legislation Authorizes Infill on San Francisco Port Parking Lots
The firm drafts legislation for the Port of San Francisco, passed by the California Legislature in 2007 (SB 815), authorizing a broad range of housing and other urban uses on Seawall Lots that are vacant or used for surface parking, and creating new revenue opportunities to allow the Port to rehabilitate its threatened historic finger piers.
Read MoreMarin County Comprehensive General Plan Update Approved
The firm's attorneys and planners represent Marin County in the award-winning 2007 update of its General Plan and resulting amendments to the County's Development Code to implement wetland and stream conservation programs.
Read MoreA Lifeline for a Rare Salamander
Photo credit: Gary Nafis With the firm's help, the Environmental Protection Information Center, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, and the Center for Biological Diversity bring successful litigation against the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to restore protection for the Scott Bar Salamander under the California Endangered Species Act. (Environmental Protection Information Center v. CDFW (2007).)
Read MoreCourt Upholds Infill Development Involving Reuse of Historic Theatre
Photo Credit: BWChicago, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 The firm advises and successfully defends the City of Alameda in a suit challenging a redevelopment project in downtown Alameda involving the restoration of the historic Alameda Theatre and the construction of an adjacent cineplex with parking to subsidize the restoration effort. (Citizens for a Megaplex-Free Alameda v. City of Alameda, 149 Cal.App.4th 91 (2007).)
Read MoreSMW Halts Subdivision Near Base of Mount Whitney
The firm wins a landmark case challenging Inyo County's approval of a sprawl luxury home development project along Whitney Portal Road in the shadow of Mount Whitney. The court of appeal orders the County to consider an alternative location for the project, which still remains unbuilt. (Save Round Valley Alliance v. County of Inyo, 157 Cal.App.4th 1437 (2007.)
Read MoreSale of Point Molate Requires CEQA Review
The firm wins a case challenging the City of Richmond's proposed sale of over 200 acres of waterfront property for the development of a large casino and resort hotel. (East Bay Regional Park District v. City of Richmond (2007).) The firm continues to work with the East Bay Regional Park District to successfully prevent the casino project.
Read MoreSaratoga Completes New Trail Designated Part of Historic De Anza Trail
In 2007 the firm advises the City of Saratoga in environmental review and obtaining rights-of-way for an urban trail that was subsequently designated as part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in 2017. Photo: Image by NAME from SOURCE
Read MoreDangerous Herbicide Use Restricted
The firm wins a CEQA case challenging programs of three Central Valley irrigation districts that would have applied dangerous herbicides to irrigation canals that provide important natural habitat. (DeltaKeeper v. Merced Irrigation Dist., South San Joaquin Irrigation Dist., and Oakdale Irrigation Dist. (2006).)
Read MoreCalifornia Supreme Court Upholds Local Logging Regulations
The firm successfully defends Santa Cruz County in the California Supreme Court against a lumber company's claim that state law preempted the County's authority to regulate logging through zoning. (Big Creek Lumber Co. v. County of Santa Cruz, 38 Cal.4th 1139 (2006).)
Read MoreSMW Defends City’s Mobile Home Rent Review Board Decision
The firm obtains a court order dismissing a court challenges to the City of Concord's implementation of its mobile home rent control ordinance. (Concord Communities, L.P. v. City of Concord (2006).)
Read MoreSMW Defends Regulation of Oil Refinery Emissions
The court of appeal upholds the South Coast Air Quality Management District's rule requiring refineries to reduce emissions of ammonia and particulate matter from fluidized catalytic cracking units. (Western States Petroleum Assn. v. SCAQMD, 136 Cal. App. 4th 1012 (2006).)
Read MoreExchange Agreements Open Door to Redevelopment of Oakland Army Base
The firm assists the Oakland Army Base Reuse Authority in negotiating series of land exchange and related agreements, authorized by legislation drafted by the firm (SB 674), that will enable the redevelopment of the former Army Base.
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