Photo of William W. Abbott

William W. Abbott is Of Counsel in Abbott & Kindermann, Inc., a Sacramento-based law firm focusing on land use issues.  Mr. Abbott’s clients include public agencies, private developers, and property owners concerned with real estate development throughout California.  A long time instructor in land use law, Mr. Abbott also serves as an expert witness on California land use proceedings in state and federal court.

Mr. Abbott has also participated in numerous training programs for local planning departments, County Supervisors Association of California, League of California Cities, and the County Planning Directors’ Association.

Practice Areas:

  • Land use and planning law
  • Real estate law
  • Local government
  • CEQA, NEPA

Education:

  • J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1978
  • B.A., University of California at Davis, 1974

Emerging Issues in Evaluating Wildfire Impacts under CEQA: A Resource Guide
Continue Reading Emerging Issues in Evaluating Wildfire Impacts under CEQA: A Resource Guide

Like A Phoenix Rising, A Recorded 1869 Subdivision Map Forms A Partial Foundation To Support The Creation Of Separate Legal Parcels In Later Transactions
Continue Reading Like A Phoenix Rising, A Recorded 1869 Subdivision Map Forms A Partial Foundation To Support The Creation Of Separate Legal Parcels In Later Transactions

The First Appellant District Held City of Oakland’s Waterfront Ballpark District Project EIR Was Adequate Except For The Wind Mitigation Measure  
Continue Reading The First Appellate District Held City of Oakland’s Waterfront Ballpark District Project EIR Was Adequate Except For The Wind Mitigation Measure  

NAVIGATING RECENT LEGISLATION ON SECOND UNITS, LOT SPLITS AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN ADDRESSING CALIFORNIA’S HOUSING CRISIS
Continue Reading NAVIGATING RECENT LEGISLATION ON SECOND UNITS, LOT SPLITS AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN ADDRESSING CALIFORNIA’S HOUSING CRISIS

The Second Appellate District Backs City Infill Exemption For Senior-Living Facility in Urban Los Angeles
Continue Reading The Second Appellate District Backs City Infill Exemption For Senior-Living Facility in Urban Los Angeles

In Make UC A Good Neighbor v. Regents of University of California (2023) 88 Cal.App.5th 656, the First Appellate District grappled with a university EIR that served two purposes:  a long range development plan (“LRDP”) and a specific campus housing project.  The LRDP serves as a master plan document for higher education facilities in

Welcome to Abbott & Kindermann’s 2022 4th Quarter cumulative CEQA update. This summary provides more in-depth case write-ups on the firm’s blog.

Over 40-years old, CEQA requires lead agencies to prepare environmental documents prior to granting discretionary approvals.  CEQA documents are subject to numerous court decisions applying case law and the CEQA Guidelines.  (Pub. Res.