Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_07-cv-02332/USCOURTS-cand-5_07-cv-02332-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal

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ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO REMAND; DENYING MOTION FOR SANCTIONS — No. C-07-02332 RMW

KJ/MAG

E-filed on: 9/5/07 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

WILLIAM B. BURLEIGH

Plaintiff,

v.

COUNTY OF MONTEREY, A Public Entity,

and DOES 1 to 20

Defendants.

No. C-07-02332 RMW

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION

TO REMAND ACTION TO STATE COURT;

DENYING MOTION FOR SANCTIONS 

[Re Docket No. 9]

Since October 8, 2003, defendant County of Monterey ("The County") and plaintiff William

Burleigh have been involved in an action in Monterey County Superior Court, Case No. M672067,

in which the County alleges various zoning violations in connection with Burleigh's building a

caretaker's cottage on his property in Big Sur, California. In the state action, Burleigh crosscomplained, alleging, inter alia, civil rights violations. The Monterey County Superior Court

dismissed Burleigh's claims against the County. By separate action, Burleigh now seeks a writ of

mandate. On April 30, 2007, the County removed the Burleigh's petition to federal court on the

basis of federal jurisdiction. Burleigh, proceeding pro se, moves to remand this action to state court

and for sanctions. 

In his petition for writ of mandate, Burleigh alleges the County violated 42 U.S.C. § 1983 by

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ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO REMAND; DENYING MOTION FOR SANCTIONS — No. C-07-02332 RMW

KJ/MAG 2

(1) concealing from the public Cal. Gov't Code § 65852.2 (known as the "Granny Flat Statute") that

might be invoked to permit building projects on similarly-zoned property, (2) denying him equal

protection by preventing him from enjoying the benefits of the Granny Flat Statute, and (3) denying

him due process by delaying and harassing him to stop him from developing his property. In

addition to an order compelling defendants to grant all necessary permits to him and a declaration

that his property is not zoned residential, Burleigh seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages,

attorney's fees and an order that the County grant permits to all applicants that satisfy the standards

of the Granny Flat Statute.

Although titled as a petition for writ of mandate and, according to Burleigh, involving

predominantly land use issues, the petition that Burleigh seeks to remand to state court sets forth

three causes of action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, over which this court's obligation to exercise

jurisdiction is "particularly weighty." See Attwood v. Mendocino Coast Dist. Hosp., 886 F.2d 241,

244 (9th Cir. 1989) (citing Tovar v. Billmeyer, 609 F.2d 1291, 1293 (9th Cir. 1979)) ("When rights

are asserted under section 1983, federal courts' 'unflagging obligation' to exercise their jurisdiction is

'particularly weighty.'"). Therefore, the court DENIES Burleigh's motion to remand this action to

state court. Because the County's removal was meritorious and ultimately successful, no grounds for

awarding sanctions exist. Burleigh's motion for sanctions is likewise DENIED.

DATED: 9/4/07

RONALD M. WHYTE

United States District Judge

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ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO REMAND; DENYING MOTION FOR SANCTIONS — No. C-07-02332 RMW

KJ/MAG 3

A copy of this order was mailed on 9/5/07 to:

Plaintiff (pro se):

William Burleigh

1 Paso Hondo

Carmel Valley, CA 93924

Counsel for Defendants:

Frank G. Tiesen 

Office of the County Counsel 

County of Monterey 

168 W. Alisal Street, Third Floor 

Salinas, CA 93901-2680 

Email: tiesenf@co.monterey.ca.us 

Counsel are responsible for distributing copies of this order to co-counsel, as necessary.

DATED: 9/5/07 /s/ MAG

Chambers of Judge Whyte

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