The threat of a lawsuit by the California Renters Legal Advocacy has the city of Dublin rethinking a housing proposal that would add 220 units near the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station.

The Dublin City Council was "headed toward rejecting a proposed 220-unit condominium development near the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station," until the California Renters Legal Advocacy showed up.
Ron McNicoll reports on the unfolding political and legal saga of the Ashton at Dublin development. The council voted 4-1 in December to reject the proposed project, with different councilmembers citing different reasons for no votes. One councilmember cited building height, and another cited building materials. However, Vice-Mayor Don Biddle, who cast the lone no vote, said the project is already vested and is exactly the kind of development that should be approved near a transit station.
Dublin City Attorney john Bakker is also cited in the article warning the council that the city could be liable under the state’s Housing Accountability Act (HAA), and the California Renters Legal Advocacy has put the city on notice that they plan to do so, as reported by McNicoll:
Victoria Fierce, Executive Director of the California Renters Legal Advocacy (CaRLA), told the council that unless the city is very careful and specific about reasons for rejecting the map, the group could sue the city. It’s possible that CaRLA could gain $10,000 per unit, if it were successful in such a suit, said Fierce. That would amount to $2.2 million for the development, Ashton at Dublin Station.
The Dublin City Council has since decided to table its decision on the project, but the California Renters Legal Advocacy is still working this legal angle in other parts of the Bay Area, namely Lafayette, Sausalito, and Berkeley.
FULL STORY: Dublin Council Changing Mind About 220-unit Development

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie