Judge Rejects Attempt to Block Nature Center

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has rejected efforts by a Palos Verdes Peninsula homeowners group to stop construction of a planned $4.4-million nature center that would honor retiring Supervisor Deane Dana.

Superior Court Judge Joseph R. Kalin said the county’s plan for the project at Friendship Park between San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes met the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

In a sweeping repudiation of a lawsuit filed by the homeowners group, Friends of Friendship Park, Kalin ruled that the nature center is consistent with the county’s general plan and said the hilltop center will be a resource for the community and schoolchildren.

Dana, who has been involved in planning the facility that will also house memorabilia from his 16 years in office, was thrilled with the decision. He expressed the hope that the project will now be built and spoke glowingly of the gorgeous view of the harbor and the coastline from the site.

The supervisor, who will be replaced next month by his longtime chief of staff, Don Knabe, said he would be “very disappointed in him” if Knabe backs away from the project.

During his recent campaign for supervisor, Knabe said that if elected, he would meet with homeowner group representatives and consider moving the nature center down the hill and reducing its size. Knabe was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Although “very disappointed” with the court decision, attorney Jan Chatten-Brown, who represented the homeowners, said she is “very much heartened” by Knabe’s statements. Chatten-Brown said she hopes that agreement can be reached on a smaller nature center that will have less environmental impact. In the meantime, she said, the judge’s decision will be appealed.

The 6,000-square-foot complex would include a banquet room, two fireplaces, a kitchen and exhibit space for Dana’s memorabilia, plus a 66-car parking lot.