California Land Use Blog

Commentary by Joel Ellinwood, AICP

Sic Transit Gloria: reality check

Oct 15, 2008

[first published in California Planning & Development Report on October 9, 2008]

One of my personal commitments during the last year or so to a more sustainable future is to take the train and transit whenever I travel if time and routes permit.

Why planners need market saavy

Oct 7, 2008

[first published on the California Planning and Development Reporter on October 7, 2008 http://www.cp-dr.com/node/2152] by Joel Ellinwood, AICP

With news of yet another Wall Street icon or banking giant tumbling arriving on an almost daily basis, the Congress and Bush administration enacting a massive $700 billion bailout to prevent a complete meltdown (which probably is only the first installment), and the stock market gyrating wildly with each new shockwave, planners may wonder what all this may mean for planning practice (that is, after they finish anguishing over their own pension plan or investment portfolio).

Land Use

and Use Regulation in California encompasses General and Specific Plan Adoption and Amendments, Zoning Ordinances, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Subdivision Maps, Development Agreements, Mitigation Fee Act Compliance, Reimbursement Agreements, Annexations and special district formation through local government proceedings as well as voter initiative and referendum. Specialized processes frequently come into play in different areas of the state or when particular issues are involved. such as the Coastal Zone, Lake Tahoe region, Bay-Delta area, surface mining, air and water quality regulation, habitat protection, airports, fire safety, flood control.

Comprehensive knowledge, technical proficiency and political sensitivity are all critical to success.

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Joel Ellinwood is a member of the following professional organizations:
	The American Institute of Certified Planners
The American Planning Association
	California Chapter of the APA
United States Green Building Council
	Green Building Certification Institute
Urban Land Institute Sacramento District Council