LAND USE NEWS
Governor Newsom Expands Suspension of CEQA and Coastal Act to Cover Undergrounding, Upgrading, and Relocation of LA-Fire-Damaged Electric and Telecommunication Infrastructure195
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
California Senate Bill 601 Passes through Committee—Potential Nexus Standard for California’s Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act197
California Lawmakers Launch Ambitious Housing Reform Package to Speed Up Construction199
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Hazard Zones In Southern California Increased By 3.5 Million Acres Based on Updated Cal Fire Maps201
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
Housing Group Sues City of Lafayette Alleging City Housing Element Fails to Comply with State Housing Laws203
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Circuit Court of Appeals:
Federal Circuit Finds NMFS’ Requirement for Increased Water to Bypass a Dam Diversion to Protect Species Didn’t Constitute a “Ripe” Taking205
United Water Conservation District v. United States, ___F.4th___, Case No. 2023-1602 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 2, 2025).
RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS
District Court of Appeal:
Fourth District Court Invalidates San Diego County’s CEQA Thresholds for Infill and Small Projects207
Cleveland National Forest Foundation et al. v. County of San Diego, 109 Cal.App.5th 1257 (4th Dist. 2025).
Sixth District Court Upholds Santa Clara Groundwater Charges under Proposition 26209
Great Oaks Water Company v. Santa Clara Valley Water District, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. H050939 (6th Dist. Feb. 28, 2025, published Mar. 28, 2025).
First District Court Sets Aside Mitigated Negative Declaration—Finds City Ran Afoul of CEQA’s Consultation Requirement under AB 52210
Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of Clearlake, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case Nos. A169438, A169805 (1st Dist. Mar. 14, 2025).
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE213
