California retiree George Sheetz has spent more than seven years locked in a long-running legal dispute with his local county over exorbitant permitting fees.
But on April 12, Sheetz took his case to the U.S. Supreme Court — and won.
The ordeal began in 2016, when Sheetz bought a rural property in El Dorado County, in northeast California, on which he planned to build a retirement home where he would live with his wife and grandson. But that simple plan became more complicated when county officials demanded Sheetz pay a “traffic impact fee” of $23,420 in exchange for the permit needed to develop his property.
It’s hard to imagine how Sheetz’s development, a modest manufactured home sited on a rural property, was going to lead to a noticeable increase in traffic congestion on county roads. But having already invested a great deal of time, money and energy into his retirement property, Sheetz paid the fee under protest, so he could continue developing his land.
To get around those inconvenient court rulings, local governments often impose the fees through legislation, rather than through the bureaucratic process, to give the fees a veneer of accountability. And California courts agreed that extortionate fees are exempt from constitutional protection if it’s the legislature that’s doing the taking.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
California Supreme Court hears arguments on UC Berkeley’s plans for housing at People’s ParkThe court will determine whether noise from future residents should be considered “pollution” under CEQA as the University moves forward with its long-range plan.
Les mer »
California Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Polly Klaas' MurdererThe California Supreme Court upholds Richard Allen Davis' death sentence for the 1993 kidnap and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas, rejecting all of Davis' legal arguments and his bid to overturn his convictions.
Les mer »
Supreme Court Case Divides California Governor and ProgressivesAn upcoming Supreme Court case has divided Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom and progressives. The case from Oregon centers on whether homeless people have the right to sleep outside. Grants Pass—the small city of roughly 40,000 people—was sued by the homeless who argued that the city unlawfully punished them for sleeping on the streets when no other shelter is available and unlawfully banned the use of sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and even cardboard boxes in public spaces.
Les mer »
Builders may challenge California's development 'impact fees,' Supreme Court rulesThe Supreme Court says home builders in California may challenge the fees commonly imposed by cities and counties to pay for new infrastructure.
Les mer »
Northern California man wins development impact fees case against U.S. Supreme CourtA Northern California man took his case over development impact fees up to the U.S. Supreme Court and won in a unanimous vote after a 7.5-year battle.
Les mer »
California Supreme Court Denies Chula Vista's Request to Review Drone Footage RulingThe California Supreme Court has denied Chula Vista's request to review a lower court ruling that could make the city's Police Department release some of its drone footage to the public.
Les mer »