City of Santa Monica v. City of Los Angeles
City of Santa Monica, Ballona Wetlands Land Trust, Anthony Morales, and Surfrider Foundation (collectively Petitioners) and Ballona Ecosystem Education Project (BEEP) challenge the certification by City of Los Angeles (City) of an environmental impact report (EIR) and the Citys approval of phase two of the Playa Vista development project. They appeal a judgment denying their petitions for writ of mandate in two consolidated cases. Petitioners challenge the adequacy of the EIR and the Citys findings under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, 21000 et seq.) with respect to historical archaeological resources, methane gas, wastewater, transportation, and alternatives to the project. BEEP challenges the adequacy of the EIR as to its project description and also challenges the EIR and the Citys findings with respect to land use, transportation, project alternatives, and the statement of overriding conditions. Court conclude that the EIR was deficient in its analysis of land use impacts, mitigation of impacts on historical archaeological resources, and wastewater impacts. Court therefore reverse the judgment with directions to the superior court to issue a peremptory writ of mandate ordering the City to vacate its certification of the EIR and its project approvals and make appropriate revisions to the EIR.
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