Lit(igation) Happens: The Long Journey Of A Small Project
12/19/2011 - Andrew J. Junius
While most project sponsors breathe a sigh of relief after obtaining Planning Commission approval for their project and surviving any appeals, a recent project we entitled reminds us that such approval may be just one milestone in a longer fight. Recently a small historic renovation project on Russian Hill designed to rehabilitate and restore four small landmark cottages survived a challenge in Superior Court. The case was Friends of the Landmark Filbert Street Cottages, et al vs. City and County of San Francisco (Case No. CPF-11-511263). The case upheld several important legal determinations that many projects rely on every day…
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Governor Signs Legislation to Streamline CEQA
12/15/2011 - Thomas P. Tunny
As most developers and builders would agree, complying with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) can be complicated. This Fall, Governor Brown has signed into law three pieces of legislation that attempt to reduce some of CEQA’s complexities and streamline the CEQA process. Many times, when the Legislature and Governor attempt to “simplify” and “streamline” CEQA, they end up achieving just the opposite. The goals of the new legislation signed into law this Fall certainly are laudable. Whether or not they achieve those goals, however, remains to be seen.
SB 226
SB 226 (Simitian (D-Palo Alto)) seeks to streamline the…
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