California

San Francisco Commuters Cozy Up To Double-Decker Buses

Recent test runs of double decker buses as part of San Francisco's Muni system have been well-received by riders, and many expect them to be fully adopted into the system in 2008.

December 16, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Business Carbon Tax Proposed In San Francisco

A ballot measure aimed for November 2008 will ask San Francisco voters to raise the commercial utilities tax and lower the city's payroll tax in an effort to reduce energy usage, increase use of public transit, and increase recycling.

December 14, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Planners And Developers Have Grand Visions For Empty Land in L.A.

Planning has begun for a 400-acre plot of land near downtown Los Angeles, and expectations are high.

December 13, 2007 - Los Angeles Downtown News

Creativity Needed To Solve L.A.'s Traffic Problems

This piece from the Los Angeles Times takes a look at two big ideas for fixing L.A.'s congestion: subway and monorail.

December 12, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

States Dependent On Colorado River Water Agree On Plan

The seven western states dependent on the Colorado River for their water are on the verge of coming to an agreement on a management plan to ensure a steady supply of water from the increasingly stressed source. But some say the plan won't do enough.

December 10, 2007 - The Arizona Republic

Trading In The Car For A Metro Pass

Tasked with making Los Angeles more pedestrian-friendly, a planner decides to give up his car.

December 7, 2007 - Los Angeles Daily News

...Because It's Called 'Lawndale', Not 'Concretedale'

The Southern California city of Lawndale has passed tight restrictions that prohibit residents from paving their front yards with concrete -- an effort to reduce the amount of vehicles parked in front yards and fight what some call a "sea of gray."

December 6, 2007 - The Daily Breeze

The Two Faces of California's Upcoming Election Year

In California, the 2008 election year may result in victories for two contrasting interest: those who want to limit eminent domain powers and those seeking increased regulation of land use, writes William Fulton.

December 6, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Bikes on Trains: The Downside Of A Popular Program

Caltrain's bicycle program has proven so popular that bike riders are regularly 'bumped', i.e they are left at the platform because the bike capacity has been reached, and relief doesn't appear to be forthcoming.

December 5, 2007 - Palo Alto Daily News

Criticism Causes San Diego Politicians To Rethink Plan

California Attorney General Jerry Brown's criticism of San Diego's regional transportation plan has some politicians in the area considering a major revision of the region's smart growth strategy.

December 5, 2007 - The North County Times

Greening Up The Airport

As one of the most notorious polluters of greenhouse gas emissions, airplanes and airports are increasingly being called on to green their operations. This interview from VerdeXchange News looks at some efforts being made in Los Angeles.

December 4, 2007 - VerdeXchange News

Questions Surround San Francisco's Traffic Tax Plan

San Francisco is studying a London-style plan to charge drivers a fee when they travel to high-traffic areas, like downtown SF, during peak commute hours. But is congestion pricing a boon for public transportation? Or the death of downtown?

December 3, 2007 - KQED - QUEST

Preservationists Sue The City Of Stockton To Save Historic Hotels

Preservationists have filed suit against the city of Stockton to prevent the demolition of historic hotels to build surface parking lots.

December 3, 2007 - The Stockton Record

Making Two-Way Streets Act Like One-Ways

Plans are moving forward to address the traffic issues on two of L.A.'s most congested streets.

December 2, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Friday Funny: How Real Estate Deals Work In LA

A Los Angeles City Planning Department employee accidentally leaves a message intended for the developer on the answering machine of a project opponent: The project will be approved "no matter what."

November 30, 2007 - LA Observed

California Water Diversion Debate Continues

The debate over how to divert water around Central California's San Joaquin Valley for delivery to Southern California has been rekindled. A task force is meeting to find a way to address this and many of the state's other long-standing water issues.

November 30, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Two Projects, 20 Years Apart, Constitute One CEQA Project

A court of appeal in California ruled that a decades-old plan to realign a road and a two-year-old plan to build a big box improvement store nearby only need to undergo one environmental impact analysis under the state's Environmental Quality Act.

November 29, 2007 - California Planning and Development Report

World's Largest 'Toilet To Tap' Plant Debuts In Southern California

With the opening of the new facility, water officials in Orange County, California are launching a large scale program to recycle sewage for use as drinking water for millions. Other water scarce areas are watching closely.

November 28, 2007 - The New York Times

California's Infrastructure May Go Private

Public-private partnerships are the most viable option for building and maintaining California's infrastructure according to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently announced a plan to explore possible partnerships with private firms.

November 27, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Tunnel System Sparks Interest, Rumors

The re-discovery of tunnels beneath Fresno, California's Chinatown have sparked interest -- and elaborate rumors -- amongst historic preservationists and residents alike. But some say the rumors exaggerate the real purpose of the tunnels.

November 26, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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