Judge Overrules Walnut Council on Project

A developer hoping to build 268 homes and a golf course in the San Gabriel Valley city of Walnut won a victory in court this week, but the future of the project remains unclear.

Superior Court Judge David P. Yaffe ruled that the Walnut City Council’s request for additional environmental studies on the project had been “an abuse of discretion” because the development had been approved by a previous council.

The development, proposed by Standard Pacific, would transform a 551-acre hillside into single-family homes and an 18-hole public golf course.

The current council requested the additional studies after opponents of the project raised concerns about the increasing presence of the endangered gnatcatcher, a small, brown bird that lives in coastal sage scrub.

The environmental impact report, which the previous council approved 4 to 1 in 2001, identified six fledgling gnatcatchers and one adult pair. There are now five pairs, cheering wildlife officials who hope the birds will breed.

Other council members said they were also worried about the proximity of a landfill to the proposed project.

Although Standard Pacific prevailed in court, various aspects of the project still need city approval. Also, the City Council must decide whether it will appeal the judge’s Monday decision. It is scheduled to discuss the ruling in a closed-door session before its meeting Wednesday.

Standard Pacific attorney Michael Shonafelt said that his client had a legal right to build the project and that “the idea that there are more gnatcatchers is no news to anyone.”

Shonafelt added: “The judge, I think, has taken the city to task for attempting, essentially, to overturn the prior council’s approval. Hopefully, this will send a message to the city that it’s time to get going.”

Mayor Joaquin Lim said the council strongly disagreed with the court’s decision. He also said that, although the birds had prompted the latest effort to revamp the development plans, he had always opposed the project.