On Tuesday, the city council of Newport Beach (California) voted against a resolution supporting additional state funding for the California Coastal Commission. The Commission—which regulates coastal property owners’ use of their lands with an iron fist—has for years been complaining about its lack … Continue reading
After a severe storm destroyed numerous homes on Plum Island (Massachusetts), owners sought permits to rebuild. The local authorities approved the permits, but the Massachusetts Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) intervened. DEP imposed two conditions on permits to rebuild: One condition … Continue reading
PLF attorneys just filed a lawsuit against the City of Solana Beach (San Diego County) over land-use regulations that threaten the right of landowners to protect, use, and enjoy their properties. PLF’s suit is on behalf of the Beach & Bluff … Continue reading
The California Legislature is considering two bills that would grant the California Coastal Commission—already perhaps the Nation’s most powerful land-use agency—even more power over property owners. Assemblyman (and ex-Coastal Commissioner) Mark Stone is sponsoring AB 203, which would allow the … Continue reading
Earlier this month, a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled against the California Coastal Commission’s decision to (1) deny coastal property owners the right to reconstruct a private staircase down to the beach and (2) impose a 20-year expiration date for … Continue reading
On January 19, the New York Times published an editorial urging the U.S. Supreme Court to rule against us in Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District. Yesterday, the Times published our response. … Continue reading
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument in our case, Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District. In this case, the District denied Coy Koontz permits to use 3.7 acres of a 15-acre lot, after he refused to acquiesce to its demand … Continue reading