Restraining Order Issued Against Clearing of Land

A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order Monday that prevents clearing of vegetation in the Playa Vista development area for 10 days.

Members of the Wetlands Action Network, Ballona Wetlands Land Trust and CalPIRG claimed that developers Maguire Thomas Partners on Friday bulldozed a five- to 10-acre parcel of land west of Lincoln Boulevard and north of Hughes Way.

Steve Crandall, the groups’ attorney, said Monday he thought the developers were acting in bad faith by clearing the land while his clients awaited a decision in a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers and Maguire Partners. The suit claimed the Corps violated the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act when it granted permits to developers.

The 10-day restraining order was issued by Judge Stephen Wilson because Judge Ronald Lew is out of the country.

Maguire Thomas spokeswoman Peggy Moretti said the company had no knowledge of any bulldozing at Playa Vista. She said that after a deal last week in which ownership of the financially troubled project was turned over to a consortium led by securities firm Morgan Stanley, Maguire Thomas was no longer an owner.

David Vena, a lawyer representing that consortium, Playa Capital LLC, said he expects the new developers to prevail against a permanent injunction. He said the work done Friday was a continuation of work begun a year ago that had been suspended due to lack of financing. As a result, he said, no new permit was required.