Court OKs Strict Development-Control Plan in L.A. County
A plan to impose strict development controls to prevent premature urbanization of outlying areas of Los Angeles County was accepted Tuesday by Superior Court Judge Norman L. Epstein and forwarded to the county Board of Supervisors for action.
The plan, developed in response to nearly a decade of litigation brought by the Coalition for Los Angeles County Planning in the Public Interest, establishes limits for future housing development in the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and East San Gabriel Valley.
It requires county officials to ensure that building projects in those areas will not overburden roads, schools and sewers.
“It’s obvious to me that both sides have been acting in good faith, and I think what has emerged is something that everybody can be proud of. I think this is a forward-looking proposal that is good for the county,” Epstein said of the plan recommended by court-appointed referee James A. Kushner.
Kushner, a Southwestern University law professor, prepared the plan after consulting with the county and with the coalition of environmental and civic groups that filed the lawsuit.
Epstein declined to order immediate adoption of the plan. The Board of Supervisors will consider Kushner’s recommendations April 9.
Epstein scheduled a hearing on April 21 to review whatever plan is adopted by the supervisors.
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