Newsletters

07.08.15

As-Is Deals May Not Be So As-Is

To avoid litigation over mistaken or misinterpreted statements made in the course of negotiations, owners of real property rely on “as-is” and “independent investigation” clauses in their real estate contracts and leases.


07.02.15

Neighbors’ Noise Complaints Trigger EIR

The Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s holding that preparation of an EIR was required for the approval of a use permit to allow wedding events on vineyard property.


06.24.15

The California Raisins Strike Back

In a pro-property rights opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court applies Fifth Amendment “takings” analysis to a federal program that confiscated a farmer’s raisin crop and orders payment of just compensation for the taking of private property.


06.17.15

Real Estate and Land Use: California Supreme Court Upholds Inclusionary Housing Zoning

In a much-anticipated ruling, the California Supreme Court has settled for now the question of whether or not a municipality may condition residential project approvals on the inclusion of affordable housing units, validating the over 170 local agency inclusionary housing ordinances in California.


06.10.15

5 Things to Know About Tenant Star

President Barack Obama signed the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 into law on April 30, 2015.


06.04.15

Emergency Work Can Modify a Project’s Environmental Baseline

This decision provides an important clarification of what constitutes the “environmental baseline” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).


05.06.15

What to Do in a Boom to Prepare for a Bust

With the Great Recession fading into the past, and 2015 shaping up to be a boom year in real estate, there is a temptation for real estate developers and investors—eternal optimists—to extrapolate from a few good years into an ever rosier future.


05.01.15

Party On …

Woody’s Group establishes a very low threshold to prove a decision maker’s unacceptable probability of actual bias, thereby disqualifying a council member’s participation in a hearing.


04.01.15

PACE Financing to Jump-Start Rooftop Solar?

PACE loans can cover up to 100% of the cost of a project, depending on the specific program and the particular project.


03.19.15

Be Careful What You Agree To

The Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court decision upholding an agreement between the City of San Marcos and a property owner that required the property owner to pay over $2 million in impact mitigation fees for a project that was never built.