Orange County Chamber of Commerce

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Planners will seek blueprint for housing in Oxnard's future
Sep 1, 2010 — Ventura County Star
The most controversial aspect of the housing plan is the numeric goal, called the Regional Housing Needs Assessment or RHNA number. But that project is proposed in an agricultural preserve just outside city limits. The recession has created tracts of vacant homes in Oxnard and lowered the price of many properties.
Senior housing offered as Railroad Square alternative
Sep 1, 2010 — The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
Rosa Mayor Susan Gorin urged SMART to approve the request. "We need your help in making his project financially feasible," Gorin said. "This is going to be a catalyst for Railroad Square development." David Grabill, head of the Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group, warned that that moving from low-income affordable to senior housing might iolate state fair housing laws. "This feels like a bait-and-switch," Grabill said. "They got our support and then they made it senior...
Two Alameda County transportation agencies to merge
Aug 31, 2010 — Contra Costa Times
Oakland building. The two agencies now are merging in a move that leaders of Alameda County and its 14 cities say will save money and provide the county a unified political voice as it seeks seeking funding to improve mobility for those in cars, buses and trains, on bicycles and on foot. The new agency is called the Alameda County Transporation Commission. "We can streamline operations, save money, and give Alameda County a unified voice on transportation matters," said...
Local housing fund gets major federal grant
Aug 30, 2010 — The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)
Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund received the $500,000 from the Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. It was the local group's second award from the CDFI Fund, and Housing Trust Fund executive director Jerry Rioux said his organization is "ecstatic." "With the receipt of this grant, we will have nearly $3 million available to finance affordable housing projects in San Luis Obispo County," Rioux said. The Housing Trust Fund's...
Fresno again issues Sec. 8 housing vouchers
Aug 29, 2010 — The Fresno Bee
In Fresno, for example, the housing authority owns and manages more than 2,000 public-housing units. In Fresno, for example, the housing authority has only opened its waiting list a few times in recent years. There are currently 12,236 families with vouchers. Now that the authority is giving out vouchers again, families on the waiting list can advance through the approval process.
Hercules to seek bids on affordable-housing contracts
Aug 28, 2010 — The Oakland Tribune
As of June 30, 2009, two of Oliva's adult children each owned half the company shares, according to a city financial report. Two Oliva daughters listed as CEO and CFO in the previous Statement of Information, filed in July 2009, do not appear on the most current, February 2010, statement. An NEO staff member, Jon Sakamoto, referred questions to McKinney.
L.A. program aims to make parking easier
Aug 22, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
The sensors will help transportation officials determine which meters are in use and which have expired. Even if the coin slot is clogged, motorists have the option of paying by credit card. Vandals routinely jam older-style meters with paper clips or coins.
Affordable housing project in Healdsburg ready for its christening
Aug 20, 2010 — The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
Mason Aug. 20, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Healdsburg's newest affordable housing project is getting a proper christening today with a grand opening celebration that will feature a congressman and other officials. Foss Creek Court Family Apartments, touted as high quality, green, affordable homes, is ready for occupancy. The 64 housing units, configured as both apartments and townhouses, are intended for farmworkers,...
Wade Arnold made presence known to local government
Aug 20, 2010 — Appeal-Democrat
Chuck Miller of Yuba City, a member of the Sutter County Taxpayers Association. Arnold was not a member of the tax association, but "(we were) on the same page politically." Arnold, active in the Republican Party, was particularly interested in pensions and the city budget, Cleveland said. "Sometimes he thought raises and budget stuff that we did were risky." Arnold and Cleveland had been friends since about 2004 when Arnold and his wife, Loretta, worked at the Sutter County...
Quarantine calls for strict treatment of produce after Melon Fruit Fly discovered
Aug 19, 2010 — The Bakersfield Californian
Before farmers can transport product out of the area, they must do a minimum of four treatments in 30 days, which is the life cycle of a Melon Fruit Fly during warm months. Call (661) 868-6300 for information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week started notifying foreign trading partners about the Melon Fruit Fly finds. Even if growers do all that is required of them, another California county has the right to refuse entry to products from quarantine zones.
'Fundamental change' for Fannie, Freddie, Geithner says
Aug 18, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
But lawmakers must tread carefully to keep from further damaging a housing market that Fannie and Freddie almost solely are supporting. Fannie and Freddie combined hold the credit risk on about $5 trillion of mortgages, and losses from loans made during the housing boom have continued to mount. And as the housing market has stabilized, the losses at Fannie and Freddie have lessened.
Laguna Beach reviewing plans for artist 'live/work' rentals
Aug 18, 2010 — The Orange County Register
Verna Rollinger said the percentage delayed shouldn't be more than what it costs the city to bring a project to the building permit phase.
Lodi Unified School District board approves transportation measures at Morada school
Aug 18, 2010 — Lodi News-Sentinel
Construction is expected to be completed by the first week of September and cost up to $70,000. The decision was made at a special school board meeting Tuesday.
Yucaipa-Calimesa district ends busing for all general population students
Aug 18, 2010 — Redlands Daily Facts
Two years ago, the district eliminated bus transportation for its middle school students.
'Fundamental change' for Fannie and Freddie, Geithner says
Aug 17, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
The bailout has cost U.S taxpayers nearly $150 billion. But lawmakers must tread carefully to keep from further damaging a housing market that Fannie and Freddie almost solely are supporting. And as the housing market has stabilized, the losses at Fannie and Freddie have lessened.
Omnitrans reaching out to Redlands high schoolers
Aug 15, 2010 — Redlands Daily Facts
Omnitrans marketing director. "We have requests for nearly 200 students wanting the free seven-day pass," Williams said. "Most of the requests are from Redlands High School students, but students from REV, Citrus Valley and Orangewood also responded." RUSD contacted Omnitrans earlier this year to discuss how they could fill in the transportation gap, Williams said. Since Omnitrans routes already stop near Redlands, Redlands East Valley, Citrus Valley and Orangewood high...
Billions earmarked for Bay Area transportation projects
Aug 14, 2010 — San Jose Mercury News
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission projects a $43 billion shortfall during the next couple of decades in the Bay Area. The Federal Transit Administration gave the Santa Clara County portion a not-recommended rating in 2004 because the $6.1 billion cost was too high, and no money had been set aside for operational expenses. So the Valley Transportation Authority broke the extension into two segments, with the first ending in the Berryessa area of San Jose.
Lodi is now part of Google Transit
Aug 14, 2010 — Lodi News-Sentinel
The city can even add notes about the individual bus stop locations.
Homebuyer program has success stories
Aug 13, 2010 — Orland Press Register
...buyers can ask about the assistance program through most Orland real estate agents who are familiar with it. Vincente Villicana and his wife, Gracieala, also purchased an Orland home through the program. Villicana praised Acevedo for his help. "We are really pleased with Juan and Angela (the loan person)," Villicana said, Tuesday. "They helped us find a house. We want to thank them and tell others to come ans see them because they know what they're doing." Villicana has...
TCAG seeks loan for low construction costs
Aug 10, 2010 — The Porterville Recorder
Since those first allocations, Measure R revenues have dropped by more than $5 million.
Water bond booted from ballot
Aug 10, 2010 — The Record (Stockton, Calif.)
Arnold Schwarzenegger called for a delay until 2012 before the bond goes on the ballot, hoping for an improved economy and a greater chance for success. Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, urged the Senate not to delay the bond but to repeal and revise it. It would not pay for a peripheral canal, but some opponents believe it would pave the way for such a huge project.
Airfares are 'bargains' (not counting fees)::
Aug 9, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
Airport in Burbank and Long Beach Airport were among the nation's five airports with lowest average airfares for the first three months of 2010.The average fares may be lower at the Burbank and Long Beach airports, aviation experts say, because both are served heavily by low-fare airlines such as Southwest Air-lines and JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) , flying primarily short-haul routes.The average round-trip domestic fare was $208 at Long Beach Airport and $241 at Bob Hope...
Affordable housing project considered for Cotati
Aug 8, 2010 — The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
...units of affordable rental and ownership housing in Sonoma County since 1980. It has developed four projects in Cotati. "Cotati has always been aggressive, thoughtful and progressive in supporting the affordable housing developers to meet the city's goals and the goals of the community," said Cynthia Wood, a director of the Sonoma County Affordable Housing Coalition. Burbank's projects typically include from 10 to 30 percent financing from local sources, Sisich said, which is...
County agrees to launch North Coast tourist train
Aug 6, 2010 — Santa Cruz Sentinel
..."masquerading" for the true wish of the state, which is commuter rail. Others worried the county's commitment to excursion trains leaves it on the hook for any losses the service might incur. "I believe you are taking huge risks with our transportation funding," said Aptos resident Bill Comfort, noting that the state has the power to ask for its money back if the county doesn't meet its demands. County transportation officials, however, said their agreement to launch tourist...
Santa Cruz County agrees to launch North Coast tourist train
Aug 5, 2010 — Santa Cruz Sentinel
...for trains. The county Regional Transportation Commission has long discussed passenger service, but only this week under state pressure did it commit to a plan: The county will pursue a contract with Woodland-based Sierra Northern Railway, which is currently handling freight service for Union Pacific, to run excursion trains between Davenport and Santa Cruz within the next three years. "Next week we will be able to report at the California Transportation Commission meeting that...
Apartments coming to Monte Sereno?
Aug 3, 2010 — San Jose Mercury News
...zone for multifamily housing -- a requirement under state law that Monte Sereno has so far avoided. The city, which has no commercial or retail buildings, is one of the last incorporated areas in Santa Clara County not to zone for such housing. Monte Sereno in 2002 laid out a plan to identify appropriate sites for multifamily housing, but no sites were actually identified. With the city having completed an update of its housing plan last year, this time the state will be paying...
County still struggling to meet state terms for rail purchase
Aug 3, 2010 — Santa Cruz Sentinel
SANTA CRUZ -- County transportation leaders this week must commit to running excursion trains on the North Coast as well as freight trains countywide if they want to proceed with the purchase of the 32-mile Union Pacific rail line. The pledge to operate trains, a prospect county officials have long discussed but not solidified, is among a handful of new conditions the county must meet to win state funding for the planned $14.2 million rail acquisition. "We're working on meeting...
Developers struggle with contract on townhouses
Aug 3, 2010 — Palo Alto Daily News
Their letter offered instead to pay fees in lieu of providing the three BMR units. They also agreed to give the city a 25 percent cut of whatever additional amount a townhouse might sell for above $1.225 million, if construction costs fall within an expected margin.
Airfares may be 'bargains,' but extra fees have soared
Aug 2, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
Airport in Burbank and Long Beach Airport were among the nation's five airports with lowest average airfares for the first three months of 2010. The average fares may be lower at the Burbank and Long Beach airports, aviation experts say, because both are served heavily by low-fare airlines such as Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) and JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) , flying primarily short-haul routes. The average round-trip domestic fare was $208 at Long Beach Airport and $241 at...
City zoning tweaked by California
Jul 30, 2010 — Orland Press Register
...zoning to high density residential and be rezoned to R-3 status with similar minimum and maximum dwelling units as the 12-acre parcel. Changing the zoning will allow the city to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation established by the state through the planning process, Sailsbery said. In other words, the city is prepared for higher-intensity growth areas to accommodate low- to middle-income residents as it develops in the future, Sailsbery said, by providing parcels and...
Developer pushes for elimination of affordable housing requirements
Jul 30, 2010 — Contra Costa Times
...housing in the future." In Contra Costa County, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Hercules, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond and Walnut Creek have inclusionary housing ordinances, according to a California Association for Rural Housing database. Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Pleasanton, San Leandro and Union City have ordinances in Alameda County. Low income for a family of four in Contra Costa and Alameda counties is...
Making the most of state federal dollars
Jul 30, 2010 — Orland Press Register
Alta Schmidt House while others remain unfinished. She said plans call for improving ADA access to Spence Park's ball fields and other streets. But Orland is an old town that has many sidewalks needing updates and some streets with no sidewalks at all. Branzelle Medina of Orland asked about the public parameters of projects covered by the grants. Wackerman told her most must benefit the public in some way such as the Paigewood Complex providing affordable housing to the...
Wal-Mart debate heats up
Jul 30, 2010 — The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
... Rohnert Park resident Suzanne Dewey said the council should overturn the commission's decision in order to support residents who voted for Measure E -- the half-cent sales tax measure city voters approved in June -- and are struggling to get by in a touch economy. "Our residents voted to increase our taxes to help Rohnert Park, now we expect our City Council to help our residents gain more purchasing power," she said. Another Rohnert Park resident, John Knapp, said that...
Colusa Transit increases routes to Maxwell
Jul 28, 2010 — Colusa County Sun-Herald
Maxwell, or from Maxwell to Colusa." Salazar said the request from the public to increase Maxwell to Colusa transportation was the only request to come from the annual public hearing on unmet transportation needs, which was held in May. The bus will depart Colusa for Maxwell at 7:30 a.m. and return at 2:30 p.m. The bus from Maxwell to Colusa will depart at 8:30 a.m. and return at 3:30. The Colusa County Transit Agency has been providing transportation to county residents...

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