Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Judge on Ritter Ranch Suits Resigns Over Staff

The retired judge acting as a referee in three lawsuits filed by the Leona Valley Town Council challenging the massive Ritter Ranch development resigned from the cases this week.

Judge A.R. Early decided to resign, after holding a hearing last month on one of the suits, because he said the court would not pay for a small staff.

Judge Robert Mallano, Los Angeles County Superior Court presiding judge, said the court has never provided referees such as Early with a staff.

Early’s resignation is a setback to a decision on the suits, which were filed a year ago.

“I’m sorry,” said Chase Mellen, the attorney representing the Town Council. “I thought Judge Early was very good. I think he would have done a good job.”

Since the Leona Valley Town Council filed the lawsuits, there have been problems finding someone to hear the cases.

After the three suits were filed, Superior Court Judge Haig Kehiayan referred two of them to a referee, whom the Town Council filed an affidavit of prejudice against.

When Kehiayan ruled against the request, the Town Council won an appeal. Kehiayan then referred the suits to Early.

Mellen said Thursday he has not yet received an official notice from Early about the resignation, and that he was unsure what the next step will be. Mellen is certain of one thing: he does not want the cases again referred to a referee.

“I believe my clients have a right to a state-paid judge,” he said.

Ritter Ranch officials could not be reached for comment.

The Leona Valley Town Council filed three lawsuits last year over issues related to the 7,200-home development, planned for 10,625 acres in west Palmdale, adjacent to Leona Valley.

Early held a hearing last month on the first suit, in which the Town Council alleged the Ritter Ranch environmental impact report is inadequate, but resigned after learning he would not be allowed a staff.

The Town Council’s second suit contends the city of Palmdale approved Ritter Ranch based on an outdated General Plan.

The third suit was filed against Los Angeles County over a water pipeline agreement to serve Ritter Ranch and other developments.