Drager

FACTS AND HISTORY OF THE PROCEEDINGS

Factual and Statutory Background

The facts of this matter are largely undisputed. The history of redevelopment statutes and when statutes were passed or amended in relation to when the RDA took certain actions are key to understanding the factual context in which this case arose.

General Redevelopment Practices Prior to 1994

The historical underpinnings of California’s redevelopment agencies were discussed in California Redevelopment Association v. Matosantos (2011) 53 Cal.4th 231, 245-248 (Matosantos I), and need not be detailed here. “Briefly summarized, since the 1940’s, the Community Redevelopment Law ([] § 33000 et seq.) allowed sponsoring cities and counties to establish redevelopment agencies to address urban blight.” (City of Cerritos v. State of California (2015) 239 Cal.App.4th 1020, 1027-1028 (Cerritos).) Under the Community Redevelopment Law, “[r]edevelopment agencies generally could not levy taxes, and, instead, relied primarily on tax increment financing as a funding source as authorized by article XVI, section 16 of the California Constitution and . . . section 33670. (Matosantos I, supra, 53 Cal.4th at p. 246.) Under that…