Santa Monica : Land-Use Lawsuit Thrown Out
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled that the statute of limitations has expired on a legal challenge to the validity of the land-use element of Santa Monica’s general plan.
In a hearing last week on a lawsuit filed by Santa Monicans for Reasonable Growth, Judge Norman Dowds said that the claim would have to have been filed within 120 days of the plan’s enactment in 1984 in order to be heard by the court. Dowds did not rule on the merit of the claim, according to Jack H. Rubens, attorney for the residents’ group.
The challenge to the general plan was contained in a lawsuit filed in January against a controversial automobile dealership project approved last year by the City Council.
Last month, in a victory for residents, Dowds set aside the council’s approval of the dealership and ruled that an environmental impact report must be prepared.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
