Research Form

Tell Your Story

Changing Rules, Indefinite Delays

Property Rights Foundation of Mendocino County Research Form

Wind farms, wave energy, single family houses, alterations and additions, subdivisions, cell towers, stores and all sorts of projects, large and small are being delayed at great expense and even stopped by zoning and building officials after the application is submitted, by changing the rules and using the environmental review law to hold up the permit review process, sometimes indefinitely.

Was a Trap Set for You During the Permit Application Process?

Have you or your neighbor been ensnared by officials after making an application for a site plan, subdivision, or building permit? Did the officials add new regulations that weren’t in place when you submitted your application? Did a “neighborhood group” or “environmental organization” organize people to stop your project after you submitted your application? Were you extraordinarily delayed by the use of the state environmental quality review law after you submitted your application? Please give us information about your experience. Your story, added to those of others, will help illustrate the failure and injustice of the current land use and environmental review law --- and may help to change the law.

QUESTIONAIRE

1. Name and description of project:

2. Location of project:

3. Date of application and agenc(ies) to which you applied:

4. Current status of project:

5. Were the rules changed after the application was submitted to the agency? Why?

6. How did the change in the rules stand in the way of the project?

7. What law was used to delay or stop the project?

8. How was this law used against the project?

9. Did a “neighborhood group” or an “environmental group” become involved in your application? What Group?

10. Did a group sue to delay or stop the project? Please describe.

11. What additional costs were incurred as a result of the new rules or the delaying tactic?

12. Please discuss any features of the project of interest. How will it provide benefit to people, how the additional costs related to post-application rule changes and environmental review diminished the ability to accomplish the worthwhile goals of the project, and any other thought that you'd like to share.

13. Were any news articles written about your effort to obtain zoning, subdivision, or building approval?

Yes No

14. If yes to question 13, please give dates and publications:

15. Your name, address and telephone number.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Please share this form with as many people as possible.

NOTE: THIS QUESTIONAIRE, INCLUDING YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION, IS NOT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL BE SHARED FOR THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION ABOUT THE NEED FOR REFORM.

For additional copies at no charge, and additional contact information contact:

Property Rights Foundation of Mendocino County
P.O. Box 1415
Gualala, CA 95445
Phone: (707) 891-4022
E-mail: info@prfmendocino.org