Updates and Articles
Federal Court Invalidates Approval of Hatton Canyon Freeway in Monterey County
The firm prevails in a federal court challenge to the Hatton Canyon Freeway, a proposed freeway that would have devastated a large Monterey Pine forest just east of Carmel. The federal and state transportation agencies drop the project, and the land becomes a regional park. (City of Carmel-by-the-Sea v. U.S. Dept. of Transportation, 123 F.3d 1142 (9th Cir. 1997).)
Read MoreSMW Helps City of Ventura Form Special Assessment District
Photo Credit: Ken Lund, Flickr The firm assists the City of Ventura in establishing a special assessment district to fund the removal of silt from the Ventura Keys, and then represents the City in its successful defense of a legal challenge to the district. (Aggen v. City of San Buenaventura (1997).)
Read MoreSanta Clara County Parks and Trails Master Plan Approved
The firm advises Santa Clara County in 1996 in the development of its Parks and Trails Master Plan.
Read MorePoint Reyes Water Quality Protected
The firm assists a coalition of conservation advocates in1996 in blocking expansion of the West Marin Sanitary Landfill in Point Reyes Station, which would have degraded water quality in the area.
Read MoreSMW Advises Alameda on Cleanup and Reuse of Two Navy Bases
In 1996 the firm begins advising the City of Alameda on site cleanup of the former Naval Air Station and Fleet & Industrial Supply Center Navy bases and on environmental permitting and historical resources for site reuse. Large mixed-use projects come to fruition in 2006 and 2014.
Read MoreSMW Drafts Numerous Urban Growth Boundary Initiatives
In 1996 the firm begins drafting a series of initiatives that establish urban growth boundaries limiting urban sprawl and promoting infill development in Sonoma and Solano Counties. Within a few years, there are UGBs in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Petaluma, Sonoma, Cotati, Windsor, Fairfield, and Vacaville.
Read MoreCalifornia 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).)
Read MorePublic Health Threat Removed
In 1994 the firm represents Rodeo residents in opposing the Pacific Refinery Company's plan to increase the output of a refinery whose emissions threaten public health. As a result of legal issues raised by the firm, the refinery eventually decides to shut down.
Read MoreSMW Develops Novel Approach to Protecting Open Space
In 1993 the firm helps to develop the Tri-City and County Regional Park and Open Space Group, a first-of-its-kind joint powers agency of cities and a county to protect open space in Solano County. The agency later selects the firm to be its general counsel.
Read MoreAppellate 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).)
Read MoreSan Diego County Voters Pass Forest Conservation Initiative
Photo Credit: Duncan McFetridge Voters in San Diego County in 1993 pass the Forest Conservation Initiative, drafted by the firm for Save Our Forest and Ranchlands. The measure limits development on private lands within the Cleveland National Forest.
Read MoreTransfer of Development Rights Program in Livermore Protects Thousands of Acres of Land
In 1993 the firm begins its work with the Tri-Valley Conservancy and the City of Livermore to establish an urban growth boundary and protect thousands of acres of vineyards, olive orchards, and open space through more than 48 conservation easements and transfers of development rights.
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