Justices Reject County’s Prison Land Challenge

The California Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by Los Angeles County challenging a lower court ruling that allowed land acquisition for a planned Lancaster prison while legal challenges against the prison were pending.

In an order issued Thursday, the court also lifted a stay it imposed on the state last month to prevent the acquisition of the 252-acre site while the justices decided whether to hear the appeal. The lower court ruling in July had forced state officials to cancel a call for bids on a contract to grade the site.

Deputy County Counsel Jonathan Crane said the impact of the ruling is lessened by the fact that on Monday a Superior Court judge will hear arguments on environmental lawsuits filed by the county and city of Lancaster against the prison. That hearing could result in a judge’s order permitting construction to continue, or in a temporary or permanent prohibition against further construction work, according to lawyers on both sides.