beyond the legal opinion
December 1, 2014
In an important ruling for aggregate properties, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed the Josephine County Circuit Court regarding a reservation of mineral rights in a deed recorded in 1954. On appeal, the mineral rights holder insisted that “minerals” include stone and rock, such as basalt.
November 26, 2014
Summary related to some concerns Washington businesses have in relation to Washington proposed water quality rules to address fish consumption.
November 25, 2014
According to an independent report by The Clark County Auditor a program that waives development and impact fees for non-residential land uses is not effective.
November 21, 2014
The City of Ridgefield passed an emergency ordinance last night placing a moratorium on multi-family residential.
November 20, 2014
A very fascinating case just announced on Valentine’s Day by Division III of the Washington Court of Appeals denied “a mulligan” to a group of property owners seeking to keep open a golf course located adjacent to their homes.
November 7, 2014
A coalition of environmental groups is suing the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council for reissuing water permits to the state’s only nuclear power plant. The permits allow withdrawal of water from the Columbia River for cooling the reactor, and allow a small portion of that water to be discharged back into the river following use.
November 4, 2014
Portland developer Dennis Pahlisch believes south Hillsboro is a smart location for new executive housing.
October 21, 2014
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) regulates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, which control the vast majority of home loans. The private lenders that fund individual home mortgages bundle those mortgages into securities that are sold to the government sponsored enterprises (GSE’s) and subject to FHFA rules.
October 9, 2014
This 2013 law mandates “simplified” methods for expansion of urban growth boundaries outside Metro in order to lighten the burden on cities and counties.
September 18, 2014
The Washington Court of Appeals recently decided that Shoreline Development Permits, required for development projects along the Columbia River and most other waterfronts, do not enjoy the same protection against changing regulations as subdivisions.
