Three neighboring Peninsula cities scored a major victory in court by forcing the CA High Speed Rail Authority to reopen and revise the environmental document for the San Jose to San Francisco segment that they had hoped was finally completed.
"A coalition that includes Menlo Park, Atherton and Palo Alto scored a legal victory over the California High Speed Rail Authority Thursday when a Sacramento judge ruled that the state agency has to reopen and revise its environmental analysis of the controversial line.
Menlo Park and Atherton were also involved in an earlier lawsuit, which forced the rail authority to "decertify" and revise its program-level Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The authority certified the document for the second time in September 2010."
The three cities and the non-profits that joined them hope the High Speed Rail Authority chooses an East Bay approach to San Francisco via the Dumbarton Bridge rather than the Pacheco Pass that would enable the train to go from San Jose up the Peninsula to SF via the Caltrain corridor.
From Mercury News: Judge: Bullet train must ax route through South Bay, Peninsula, for now: "Despite the judge's main ruling, the rail authority released a statement claiming victory since Kenny rejected other allegations that its rider estimates were flawed, that underground tracks should be studied for the Peninsula and that an alternative route involving local highways deserves merit."
From Examiner: Rail Authority must redo EIR again: "The Program Level Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Central Valley to San Francisco was found to be inadequate again. The Revised Program EIR had failed to consider significant impacts, failed to consider information found in the project level studies and failed to re-circulate the document for public comments."
From TRANSDEF: Court Rules Again Against HSRA: "Richard Tolmach, President of the California Rail Foundation, declared that "Twice in a row, the Authority ignored the requirements of environmental law. The Judge found they still have not done a proper study."
Thanks to Patricia Matejcek
FULL STORY: High-speed rail hit with legal setback

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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont