LANCASTER : Firm Withdraws Road Overpass Suit

A San Fernando Valley legal aid firm has withdrawn its lawsuit challenging Lancaster’s plan to build $24 million in roadway overpasses with money reserved under state law for promoting housing for low- to moderate-income residents.

Pacoima-based San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Services filed the challenge in mid-January but withdrew recently after Lancaster city officials submitted arguments to the Superior Court that, under state law, the suit should have been filed before the end of last year, legal aid attorney Mona Tawatao said. Tawatao said the city had threatened to seek penalties against the nonprofit law firm.

Tawatao said she disagreed with the city’s claims but decided to withdraw “for strategic purposes.” She declined to elaborate.

The move does not affect another pending lawsuit against the plan by the Los Angeles redevelopment law firm of Kane, Ballmer & Berkman on behalf of a Lancaster resident.

Lancaster wants to use the housing money to back bonds that would be sold to raise money for construction of the overpasses. The city said the plan would meet state law because it will include incentives to developers, whose projects would benefit from the overpasses, to construct lower-cost housing.