1. The Legal Background: General Principles
The California Coastal Act (the Coastal Act) was passed in
1976. (Pub. Resources Code, § 30000 et seq.)
1 It is
“a comprehensive scheme to govern land use planning for the
entire coastal zone of California.” (Yost v. Thomas (1984) 36 Cal.3d
561, 565 (Yost).) The Coastal Act requires “all local governments
lying in whole or in ... More...   $0 (04-05-2020 - CA)

Greg Mooradian and Debra A. Mooradian appeal from the
order denying their special motion to strike under Code of Civil
Procedure section 425.161 directed to the cross-complaint filed
against them by C.W. Howe Partners Inc. and its principal Carl
William Howe (collectively the Howes) for express indemnity,
equitable indemnity, contribution and declaratory relief. The
trial c... More...   $0 (12-31-2019 - CA)

Plaintiffs Lark Holden and James Stansell1 appeal a judgment denying their
petition for writ of mandate challenging decisions by the City of San Diego and City
Council for the City of San Diego (collectively City) to grant a California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA; Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.)2 exemption for a residential
development project proposed by IDEA Enterprise,... More...   $0 (12-14-2019 - CA)

The San Diego County (County) Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to
the County's general land use plan, which would allow for the development of over 2,100
homes in a previously designated rural area of the County. Residents opposed to the
change in land use circulated a referendum petition and gathered enough signatures to
have the matter placed on an election ballot. To p... More...   $0 (11-30-2019 - CA)

In this appeal we decide whether a California charter city’s policy for the sale of
surplus city-owned land is preempted by the state’s affordable housing law.
The dispute centers on the City of San Jose’s passage of City Policy 7-13 (Policy
7-13), which appellants Sarah Anderson, Joana Cruz, Urban Habitat Program, and
Housing California contend violates the Surplus Land Act (Gov. ... More...   $0 (11-29-2019 - CA)

November 2015, the Board of Supervisors (Board) of the County of Kern
approved a new zoning ordinance requiring permits for new oil and gas exploration,
drilling and production. The ordinance imposed a wide range of environmental and other
standards on permit applicants. It also adopted two procedural pathways for obtaining
permits when the proposed activity would be conducted on s... More...   $0 (11-20-2019 - CA)

After the City Council of the City of Richmond (the City) adopted an initiative
amending its general plan to prohibit residential development on a stretch of hillside land,
property owners affected by the initiative brought this action challenging the initiative.
The trial court concluded the initiative rendered the City’s general plan internally
inconsistent and directed the City ... More...   $0 (10-27-2019 - CA)

In this appeal, appellants Mark and Bella Greene challenge
the California Coastal Commission’s permit condition for the
remodel of their beachside residence. The condition requires
construction be set back five feet from the seaward property line.
The Greenes argue the Commission erred in finding that a fivefoot
buffer was needed to safeguard the public’s access to the
beac... More...   $0 (10-21-2019 - CA)

Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court of Orange County, Glenn R.
Salter, Judge. Affirmed.
Garner Health Law and Craig B. Garner for Defendants and Appellants.
Rutan & Tucker and Robert O. Owen for Plaintiff and Respondent.
* * *
2
Defendant New Method Wellness, Inc. (New Method), runs a drug
treatment facility and houses some of its patients in three residences (... More...   $0 (09-14-2019 - CA)

Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis and Jeffrey A. Chine for Real Party
in Interest and Respondent.
Real party in interest and respondent Genesee Properties, Inc. (Genesee) sought
tentative map approval from respondent County of San Diego (the County) for a 24-lot
subdivision on 1416.5 acres of land in San Diego County known as the Hoskings Ranch
(the property). The prop... More...   $0 (07-29-2019 - CA)

Over the years since at least 1959, the Legislature has attempted to achieve a
balance between the state's interest in allowing local agencies to produce, generate, store,
and transmit water or electrical energy and the cites' and counties' control over local
building and zoning. This appeal requires the court to consider whether a solar energy
2
project proposed by a local ag... More...   $0 (07-21-2019 - CA)

This appeal arises from a wrongful death action brought by
Karen Hernandez and Sergio Saravia (appellants), the parents of
13-year-old Jonathan Hernandez, after Jonathan was struck and
killed by a school bus while riding his bicycle in Glendale. The
school bus was owned by defendant and respondent First
Student, Inc., and driven by defendant and respondent Barbara
Calderon.... More...   $0 (07-13-2019 - CA)

Respondent Mark Gustely failed to comply with an administrative order finding
various violations of county codes on his property and ordering him to abate the
violations and pay abatement costs and civil penalties. When the County of Sonoma
(County) filed an action in the superior court to enforce the codes, enjoin further
violations and recover penalties, costs and attorney fees, ... More...   $0 (06-25-2019 - CA)