Judge Rejects Suit to Halt Road : Development: A homeowners group was trying to block a $14-million project to widen Base Line Road.

A Superior Court judge in Pomona has tentatively rejected a lawsuit by a Claremont-area homeowners group, which was trying to block a $14-million plan to widen commuter-clogged Base Line Road in eastern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County.

In a ruling from the bench, Judge Robert Gustaveson on Nov. 6 denied a request by members of Community Assn. for a Responsible Environment, which was seeking more extensive environmental studies on the project by the California Department of Transportation. Gustaveson said he will issue a written ruling later this month.

The group had complained that the proposal threatens the semi-rural, residential corridor where the roadway runs through La Verne, Claremont and Upland.

The suit charged that the state’s plans would alter the character of Claremont neighborhoods, which have several historic houses, and would possibly endanger the habitat of a species of garter snake, Thamnophis hammondi . State environmental officials list the snake as a “special concerns” species, which means anyone collecting the reptile must obtain a permit.

Despite the objections raised by the group, the judge ruled that Caltrans had already undertaken sufficient environmental studies, and no further research on the project’s impact was necessary.

From the viewpoint of Caltrans, according to Joe Vanderhorst, a Caltrans attorney, “practically speaking, it means we have complied with the environmental process. But how soon the project can begin depends on a lot of other factors.”

These include, he said, funding, property acquisition and whether the roadway opponents appeal the judge’s decision.

The homeowners group is assessing the judge’s ruling, CARE members said. “Indications are that we will appeal,” said Nina Cash, coordinator for the organization’s board.

Cash said CARE members are still upset that Caltrans has been unwilling to listen to suggested alternatives to the project.

Throughout La Verne, Claremont and Upland, Caltrans plans to widen portions of a six-mile stretch of Route 30, known locally as Base Line Road. Some parts of the road are two lanes wide, and other sections have as many as five lanes.

The suit also attempted to force Caltrans to explain how the road widening related to an $800-million proposal to extend the Foothill Freeway from San Dimas east into San Bernardino County.