It was to be expected. After the first lawsuit was dismissed, the plaintiff's attorney warned that the revised environmental document was inadequate. Menlo Park and Atherton were joined by Palo Alto as well as some non-profits.
The first lawsuit forced the High Speed Rail authority to decertify the Program Environmental Impact Report. It was revised, meeting the court-ordered revisions, and certified on Sept. 2. The nearby cities of Burlingame, Belmont, and Redwood City had considered joining the lawsuit but chose not to 'at this time'.
"The suit is the second legal challenge Peninsula cities have brought against the project. In 2008, Menlo Park, Atherton and four environmental groups filed a similar suit over the authority's decision to bring trains through the Pacheco Pass. Palo Alto later filed a brief supporting that suit.
A judge dismissed that suit, but not before ordering the rail authority to revisit the proposed route between San Jose and San Francisco and adjust its report."
From Palo Alto OnLine: Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton sue rail authority:
"The new lawsuit argues that because the broad program EIR violates state law, any project EIR based on it would also be illegal and "will result in irreparable harm" unless invalidated by the court."
Thanks to MTC Library
FULL STORY: Peninsula cities sue to derail high-speed rail project
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.