The English tried such claims before juries for centuries. The City of Monterey took a hit in the pocketbook, and with all those planning problems and years of trials and appeals, the case took about 19 years to complete. Lawyers, no doubt, made a fortune. It's not obvious, however, that Monterey planners contributed much to the quality of life, or that Del Monte made a fast buck or two. Even so, planning people may be somewhat scared by the Del Monte case.
Planners now know that they'll have juries looking over their shoulders.
That should benefit the rest of us. The case was City of Monterey v. Del Monte Dunes at Monterey, Ltd., No. 97-1235 on the docket of the Supreme Court of the United States. The decision came down on May 24, 1999. Martin Paskind is an Albuquerque lawyer. His practice emphasizes legal services to small businesses.