Judge Bars Eviction of Up to 400 in Santa Ana Case

A judge blocked the eviction of several hundred low-income residents in an area of western Santa Ana Wednesday, ruling that neither the city nor a developer planning to build new apartments notified tenants.

A lawyer for the tenants claimed that the city approved the project without telling tenants their homes would be demolished.

“The city approved these plans without our participation,” said the tenants’ attorney, Richard L. Spix. “If it’s such a good project, then the city will approve it again after they have adequately cared for the residents.”

Classic Redevelopment Corp. planned to tear down 43 single-family homes and build two-story apartments with 270 units, according to the lawsuit. The city approved rezoning for the project last year and approved Classic’s specific plans in February.

A representative of Classic could not be reached for comment.

Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Ronald L. Bauer issued a temporary restraining order barring Classic from beginning eviction proceedings against the tenants at least until another hearing scheduled for July 21.

The homes are between 3820 and 3912 5th St. Spix estimated that as many as 400 residents would be affected.

A city policy requires that displaced renters receive relocation assistance, and that has not been done, Spix claimed. He also claimed that the city failed to make an environmental impact report on the proposed project, as required by law.

Classic Redevelopment plans to make 12 1/2% of the new apartments available to low-income renters, according to the suit.