Judge Delays Decision on Cityhood for Malibu
A judge on Wednesday decided to hear additional arguments Jan. 16 in a lawsuit filed by Malibu cityhood supporters, who want to force the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to set an incorporation election in Malibu.
Superior Court Judge Dzintra Janavs had indicated earlier that she might rule in the case this week. However, she decided to continue the matter after a lawyer for cityhood backers submitted additional briefs in the case.
Incorporation advocates have accused the supervisors of violating a state law that allows them 60 days from when they began hearing the cityhood matter to conclude the hearing as a final step before setting an election.
The supervisors began the hearing Oct. 19, but later voted to indefinitely postpone a decision on incorporation until construction permits are issued for a sewer system the county wants to build in Malibu.
The lawsuit asks the judge to force the supervisors to finish the hearing, which would clear the way for them to set an election in April or June.
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