Council decision on project upheld

In a victory for the Playa Vista development, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ann I. Jones has upheld the City Council’s February 2007 determination that underground systems used to move water away from structures at the site required no further environmental review. The systems are aimed at keeping water out of pipes used to vent methane, which underlies portions of the big development.

In 2001, after the city required Playa Vista to install updated methane mitigation systems, two environmental groups filed suit, saying the project had changed and thus required a new environmental impact report. A Superior Court judge upheld the city’s study, rejecting the claim that the new systems would significantly affect the environment.

The Court of Appeal, however, reversed the trial court’s decision, saying the city had not adequately analyzed whether the “dewatering” would cause the ground to sink or contaminated groundwater to move. The city then hired consultants who determined that the “dewatering” would not produce those harmful effects. The City Council ruled that no further review was needed. On Monday, Jones upheld that council determination.

Todd T. Cardiff, an attorney for plaintiffs Environmentalism Through Inspiration and Nonviolent Action and Grassroots Coalition, said they would appeal.

-- Martha Groves