The Stanislaus County farmland mitigation program is being appealed again, this time before the California Supreme Court. The Building Industry Association of Central California has asked the state's highest court to review the issue after a three-judge panel upheld the farmland mitigation rule in November.
In upholding the mitigation policy, the justices relied on the impact that sprawl could have in depriving the county of farmland, supporting the rule that acreage for new subdivisions must be replicated by the same amount of preserved farmland. That decision overturned a local judge's ruling from 2009 that the rule was unconstitutional. While these cases are being decided, the rule has not been applied due to housing downturn.
To read the original post about the farmland mitigation program, click here. To read the post about the subsequent appeal, click here.
Posted: 1/12/11
