Amicus Curiae Committee

The APA Amicus Curiae Committee is one of the more visible parts of APA. It files "friend-of-the-court" briefs in state and federal courts in cases of importance to the planning profession and the public interest.

Amicus Curiae Committee

Recent APA Amicus Briefs

Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. v. City of St. Paul (2009)

APA and its Minnesota Chapter join the Association of Minnesota Counties, the League of Minnesota Cities, and the Minnesota Association of Townships to urge the Eighth Circuit to reverse the lower court's decision which had invalidated the City of St. Paul's sign code. APA maintains the lower court incorrectly required the city council to articulate reasons in the legislative record for adopting a law of general applicability, a novel approach that puts at risk countless of local laws that were adopted in the same fashion.

Stop the Beach Renourishment v. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (2009)

APA and its Florida Chapter filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in this important takings case to urge the court to reject the notion of a judicial taking. The brief was drafted by Professor John Echeverria of Vermont Law School.

Rocky Mountain Christian Church v. Board of County Commissioners (2009)

In an important RLUIPA case from Boulder County, APA and its Colorado Chapter ask the Tenth Circuit to vacate the decision below because denial of an application to approve a larger church facility in an agricultural zone is not a "substantial burden" under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Protecting agricultural and open space lands through a comprehensive plan is a compelling governmental interest.

See all APA amicus briefs and court decisions