California

In another major blow to the struggling rail project, the High Speed Rail Authority has written the state legislature that private financing, which they had counted on to fund 1/3 the capital cost, may not be available until the train is running.

October 21, 2011 - Los Angeles Times: Environment

Ariel Schwartz writes that California is poised to make a significant leap into Gov 2.0, with Apps for reporting graffiti and potholes, crowdsourcing solutions to local issues, and more.

October 20, 2011 - Fast Company

Mukesh Ambani found himself the center of a lot of controversy with the 27-story residence he built last year in Mumbai, overlooking a sea of poverty. Vikas Bajaj reports that now that it is completed, the Ambani's hardly even use it.

October 19, 2011 - The New York Times

Not updated since 1975, and years in the making, Los Angeles County has finally released a Bike Master Plan, available now for review.

October 18, 2011 - Streetsblog

Wounded but far from dead, the WSJ examines the many problems plaguing California's formidable HSR project. With federal funding likely to be pulled by House Republicans, the Journal reports on the courses the project could take.

October 18, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

The Santa Clara Water District is buying back a piece of land of very little value from a developer who intended it to be part of a "new town" of 100,000 residents. From dream to discard, here is the story.

October 12, 2011 - The San Jose Mercury News

Barrio Logan is a dockside neighborhood in San Diego, where for generations the maritime industry and homes have coexisted. A new controversial rezoning plan aims to separate the uses.

October 12, 2011 - Voice of San Diego

On July 1, 85,000 hybrid vehicles in CA bearing clean-air stickers lost the privilege to drive solo in the carpool lane. UC Berkeley researchers show how that exclusion slowed speeds in the HOV lane while increasing congestion in the adjacent lanes.

October 12, 2011 - San Francisco Chronicle

Even though the butane storage tank meets all state and federal regulatory requirements, residents do not feel safe with a 40-year-old tank that contains up to 25 million gallons of highly flammable butane. Residents fear a potential catastrophe.

October 11, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

In Modesto CA, a portion of sales tax is used to support the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) which is used for dial-a-ride, trains, and other transit services. Instead, the county wants to use this money for road fixtures.

October 10, 2011 - American Planning Association

The New Home Company intends to build 85 homes on land that has become "dilapidated and vandalized." The land has been target for a redevelopment process which is located in Marin County.

October 10, 2011 - Builder

Motorists will not legally be required to provide a three-foot distance when they pass cyclists as a consequence of Brown's veto of SB 910. Comparisons were made to Texas Gov. Rick Perry who had vetoed a a similar bill in 2009.

October 9, 2011 - Cyclelicious

A new system using "microwave motion" sensors can detect when a bicyclist enters an intersection and control traffic to accommodate them.

October 8, 2011 - Governing Magazine

Recognizing the inevitability of sea level rise and vulnerability of much of the Bay Area, the region has adopted the first climate adaptation rules in the nation. Building along the shores of S.F. Bay remains possible.

October 8, 2011 - The Bay Citizen

The plan covers 24 miles of bikeways, and is estimated to got nearly $6 million over the course of 20 years. Adolfo Flores reports.

October 8, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Just four percent of Irvine's Great Park has been built in six years, compared to an early estimation that it would be completed in 10. Now, it may take 20. And it's no one's fault, writes Jeff Overley.

October 8, 2011 - Orange County Register

With the help of Councilmember Paul Krekorian of the Los Angeles City Hall, Studio City residents developed an anti-mansionization ordinance called the "Residential Floor Area" to limit the size of residential construction on existing lots.

October 7, 2011 - The Patch

In his last public appearance, Steve Jobs assumes the role of a land use advocate seeking to double the number of trees, move parking underground, and provide a self sufficient energy source for Apple's new campus in Cupertino.

October 6, 2011 - The Atlantic

Bowing to increased opposition in the Central Valley, the struggling rail authority asked for an additional 2 weeks before releasing its business plan, a key document the legislature has requested. Deadlines loom.

October 6, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Bill to lower parking requirements in transit-oriented districts in California faces opposition from housing advocates who don't want a parking density-bonus provision to be undermined.

October 6, 2011 - California Planning & Development Report