Neighbors opposed to a proposed truck driving academy at Lopez Canyon scored a small victory this week when a judge ruled that a more in-depth environmental study was required, potentially delaying the project and making it more costly.
Superior Court Judge Ann Jones issued a preliminary decision that the city had failed to meet California Environmental Quality Act requirements to allow the academy without first launching a full environmental impact report.
The city had argued that only a briefer negative impact statement was needed because the project involved a limited use of 1.5 acres of land for five years.
Councilman Richard Alarcon, who has been fighting for the academy, said he is waiting to talk with the City Attorney's office about options and the prospects of a successful appeal.
Jones is expected to release her final ruling next week.
Neighbors have been fighting the project for about five years, primarily on the grounds that it would increase truck traffic through their local streets.
Marlene Rader, president of the Kagel Canyon Civic Association and a member of the Community Alliance for Open Space, said she believes the judge was convinced based on the lack of details offered about what routes the trucks would use.
"What pleases us is that it goes to show that the public, even though it was time consuming and expensive, can have a voice and that they would listen to us," Rader said.
Coalition
members are waiting to hear whether the city appeals the ruling or decides to go ahead with the EIR."If they do an EIR, it will take 18 months and be very expensive," Rader said. "We hope the city will just drop it."
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18083589?source=rss
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