LAND USE NEWS
Faith-Based Communities Turn Unused Land into Affordable Housing221
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
AB 609: Landmark Bill Aims to Curb CEQA’s Grip on Urban Housing
Development in California223
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Federal Fisheries Agencies Propose Rule Rescinding the Regulatory Definition of ‘Harm’ under the Endangered Species Act225
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
YIMBY Challenges City of Cupertino’s Alleged Violation of Builder’s
Remedy Project Processing227
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Circuit Court of Appeals:
Ninth Circuit finds City’s Distance Requirement for Group-Living Facilities Survives Challenge that Regulation Discriminated Against Persons with
Disabilities229
The Ohio House, LLC v. City of Costa Mesa, 135 F.4th 645 (9th Cir. 2025).
RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS
District Court of Appeal:
Second District Court Allows Non-Refund-Seeking Constitutional Challenge to City’s Utility Fee Scheme Despite Failure to Satisfy ‘Pay-Now, Refund-Later’ Administrative Exhaustion Rule231
Carlos Carachure v. City of Azusa, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. B336778 (2nd Dist. Apr. 15, 2025).
First District Court Affirms Trial Court’s Rejection of Challenge to City Community Services District Charges Made without Voter Approval233
Gomes v. Mendocino City Community Services District, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. A167862 (1st Dist. Apr. 14, 2025).
Second District Court Affirms City’s Lease-Leaseback Financing Mechanism Does Not Violate Constitutional Debt Limits235
Moving Oxnard Forward v. City of Oxnard, Unpub., Case Nos. B334636, 335866 (2nd Dist. Apr. 4, 2025).
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE237
