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California Land Use & Development Law Report

California Land Use & Development Law Report offers insights into legal issues relating to development and use of land and federal, state and local permitting and approval processes. View posts by topic. Subscribe 🡢

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Agency Actions to Implement a Previously-Approved Project Are Not Subsequent Discretionary Approvals Requiring Supplemental Environmental Review

After a public agency approves a project, the agency's actions to implement the project—in this case, applying for and accepting a streambed alteration agreement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife—are not subsequent discretionary approvals that require supplemental environmental review under CEQA.

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How Much Leeway Does a Lead Agency Have to Define an Appropriate Baseline for CEQA Review?

Several months ago, a court of appeal upheld a South Coast air district EIR for an oil refinery modernization project, concluding the district had discretion to use "near-peak" emissions, rather than average emissions, as the baseline for calculating the air pollution expected from the project. Communities for a Better Environment v.

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California Courts May Shorten Tolling of Limitations Periods in Land Use Cases Under Emergency Rule

On April 6, 2020, the California Judicial Council adopted Emergency Rule 9, which tolled statutes of limitations on civil causes of action for the duration of the state of emergency declared by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020, and for 90 days thereafter.

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Public Water Running Through a Privately-Owned Pipe is Not Sufficient to Impose Liability on a Public Entity

The County of San Diego could not be held liable for damage caused by leakage from a privately-owned storm drain pipe on private property merely because water from public property drained through it. Ruiz v. County of San Diego, 47 Cal. App. 5th 504 (2020). A storm drain pipe on plaintiffs' property rusted away, causing flooding that damaged their home.

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Project Denial Invalidated Where Councilmember’s Actions Crossed the Line Into Advocacy Against the Project

The Court of Appeal held that where a city councilmember's actions evinced bias toward the project, the applicant did not receive a fair hearing and the City Council's denial of a conditional use permit would be set aside.

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Misrepresentations Can Bar Agency’s Reliance on CEQA Statute of Limitations

An agency could be equitably estopped from relying on the 35-day statute of limitations applicable to a CEQA Notice of Exemption where the agency had misled the public into expecting the agency would instead circulate a Final EIR for public comment and file a Notice of Determination following project approval. Citizens for a Responsible Caltrans Decision v.

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No Coastal Development Permit Required Where Coastal Commission Had Certified City’s Local Coastal Program

The City of San Diego was not required to obtain a coastal development permit for a transitional housing project because the Coastal Commission had certified the City's local coastal program, whose provisions therefore applied in lieu of the Commission's regulations. Citizens for South Bay Coastal Access v. City of San Diego, 45 Cal. App.

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Bay Area Construction Now Permitted Under Revised Shelter-in-Place Orders

Bay Area Public Health Officers issued revised shelter-in-place orders on April 29 allowing resumption of all construction projects, outdoor businesses and real estate transaction services, with safety protocols specified in the orders.

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Governor Allows Electronic Noticing Under CEQA and Suspends Tribal Consultation Requirements

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on April 22 suspending for 60 days (1) the filing, posting, notice, and public access requirements related to certain notices under the California Environmental Quality Act, and providing for electronic posting; and (2) certain aspects of the consultation process with Native American tribes.

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Supreme Court Rules Clean Water Act May Regulate Discharges Through Groundwater to Navigable Waters

Does the Clean Water Act apply when an underground discharge mixes with groundwater and then ultimately reaches a river or a bay?

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Intentional Misrepresentations Insufficient to Invalidate Coastal Development Permit Where They Did Not Affect the Coastal Commission’s Decision

The court of appeal rejected a claim that a Coastal Development Permit should be invalidated because it was based on intentional misrepresentations, finding that even if accurate and complete information had been submitted, this would not have caused the Coastal Commission to deny the application or require additional or different conditions. Hubbard v.

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Supreme Court Limits Tort Claims By Homeowners at Superfund Sites

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a wide-ranging decision regarding the rights of homeowners affected by Superfund response actions, ruling that they are bound by CERCLA's ban on additional remedial actions beyond those authorized by the EPA. The case, Atlantic Research Company v. Christian et al., 590 U.S.

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Untimely CEQA Suit Barred Regardless of Substantive Merits

The court of appeal held that CEQA claims filed more than 30 days after the City filed a facially valid Notice of Determination were barred by the statute of limitations regardless of whether the agency lacked authority to approve the project or make the CEQA determination.

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Counties May Reenact Essential Features of an Ordinance Previously Repealed by Referendum After a "Material Change in Circumstances"

Kern County's ordinance banning marijuana dispensaries was validly reenacted because a "material change in circumstances" had occurred since the County previously repealed a similar ordinance in response to a referendum petition.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Approves Historic Agreement for Protection of Monarch Butterflies

On April 8, 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the finalization of a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for the monarch butterfly. Authorized by the Endangered Species Act, a CCAA is a voluntary conservation agreement that addresses the conservation needs of at-risk species before they are listed as endangered or threatened.