Neighborhood Group Sues City Over Rejection

A neighborhood group in an unincorporated area that was rebuffed by San Marino last year in an annexation effort has filed a $121.4-million claim, contending that the city’s rejection lowered property values and caused emotional distress.

The Greenwood Homeowners Assn., representing an unincorporated area north of the exclusive city, said that the value of 470 single-family residences each dropped by $150,000 and 347 apartments and condominiums each lost $100,000 in value by not being annexed.

Last February, the City Council discontinued discussions with the neighborhood, saying it would be unwise to annex the area. The group’s attorney, David DiJulio, called the council’s action illegal. “Nobody likes to be told that they’re not worthy. It was as if Watts was trying to be incorporated into San Marino,” he said. Vice Mayor Eugene H. Dryden called the claim “rather unfortunate” and said it “certainly doesn’t help the relationship.”