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December 10, 2012 I Volume 6 I Issue 23 <br />Zoning Bulletin <br />oning News from Around the ation <br />CALIFORNIA <br />The U.S. Department of Justice has sued the City of San Jacinto, alleging <br />violations of the federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities <br />Act. The lawsuit claims the city discriminates against disabled residents by <br />restricting where group homes can operate. The city's residential zoning does <br />not allow group homes anywhere in the city, unless granted a special permit to <br />be in areas zoned for multifamily housing. <br />Source: The Press -Enterprise; www.pe.com <br />MASSACHUSETTS <br />On the November 9 ballot, voters legalized medical marijuana under certain <br />circumstances. This raises zoning issues for municipalities in Massachusetts, <br />which now must zone for and designate appropriate places for the marijuana <br />dispensaries. <br />Source: Bostlnno; http://bostinno.com/ <br />NEW JERSEY <br />The New Jersey Supreme Court recently heard arguments "involving a 29- <br />year-old landmark ruling on affordable housing." Affordable housing advo- <br />cates are claiming that the state is not complying with the ruling to prevent <br />discrimination against the poor. They are reportedly asking the court to find <br />that "the state Council on Affordable Housing must resume its practice of giv- <br />ing each town a specific obligation on how many units of housing the town <br />must create." Meanwhile, the state and municipalities are asking for simplifi- <br />cation of the requirements, with towns providing the opportunity for subsidized <br />homes for low-income people based on how many new market -rate homes <br />and how many jobs are created in their communities. <br />Source: CBS News Money Watch; http://www.cbsnews.com <br />12 ©2012 Thomson Reuters <br />