When planning for the start of a new project, it is important to take the time to figure out the impact it may have on affected California cities. A new development could require expensive changes to infrastructure. In a state already plagued by high costs, cities may take issue with having to spend millions of dollars to accommodate a project.
This was the crux of lawsuits between two California cities that recently settled. A $6.5 billion development taking place in one city was objected to by a neighboring city because of a lack of housing that could push more people into an already overburdened housing market in the second city. In the meantime, a development in the second city will impact traffic congestion and other issues in the first city.
The full details of the settlement were not released, but Related Companies, the developer involved in the billion-dollar project in San Jose will provide millions for that city to upgrade its traffic infrastructure. In addition, San Jose will provide millions to Santa Clara for housing and infrastructure. The settlement of these lawsuits should allow for the projects to move forward. In another case, the California Environmental Quality Act was used by the Mission Bay Alliance to halt another project for more than a year due to complaints about air quality, noise and traffic near hospitals in San Francisco.
When considering a development in a certain area of the state, it may be beneficial to consult with an attorney regarding any potential issues that could halt or delay the project. Simply obtaining the proper permits from the city in which the development is to take place may not be enough to ensure that nothing interferes with the project’s progression. If construction has already begun, and an issue does arise, an attorney may provide invaluable assistance in taking care of it.
Source: constructiondive.com, “CA cities settle lawsuits, clear way for billions in new development“, Kim Slowey, Jan. 19, 2018
