Section 66030 Of Chapter 9.3. Mediation And Resolution Of Land Use Disputes From California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 7. >> Chapter 9.3.
66030
. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Current law provides that aggrieved agencies, project
proponents, and affected residents may bring suit against the land
use decisions of state and local governmental agencies. In practical
terms, nearly anyone can sue once a project has been approved.
(2) Contention often arises over projects involving local general
plans and zoning, redevelopment plans, the California Environmental
Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the
Public Resources Code), development impact fees, annexations and
incorporations, and the Permit Streamlining Act (Chapter 4.5
(commencing with Section 65920)).
(3) When a public agency approves a development project that is
not in accordance with the law, or when the prerogative to bring suit
is abused, lawsuits can delay development, add uncertainty and cost
to the development process, make housing more expensive, and damage
California's competitiveness. This litigation begins in the superior
court, and often progresses on appeal to the Court of Appeal and the
Supreme Court, adding to the workload of the state's already
overburdened judicial system.
(b) It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature to help
litigants resolve their differences by establishing formal mediation
processes for land use disputes. In establishing these mediation
processes, it is not the intent of the Legislature to interfere with
the ability of litigants to pursue remedies through the courts.