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Judge deals major blow to Hollywood growth plan

JUDGE DEALS MAJOR BLOW TO HOLLYWOOD GROWTH PLAN
Ruling says city leaders failed to comply with state environmental law when they approved an update to the Hollywood Community Plan.
By David Zahniser
December 11, 2013, 8:31 p.m.

A judge has dealt a serious setback to Los Angeles’ efforts to bring larger development to parts of Hollywood, saying a new zoning plan is “fatally flawed” and should be rescinded by the City Council.
In a 41-page tentative ruling issued this week, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Allan J. Goodman said city leaders failed to comply with the state’s environmental law when they approved an update to the Hollywood Community Plan, which maps out rules for growth and development. The plan sought to allow construction of larger buildings in some parts of Hollywood, particularly near transit stops.
Once the judge’s decision is finalized, it would bar the city from approving projects based on the new zoning changes, including provisions that allowed for taller buildings and greater density on certain streets, said Beverly Palmer, attorney for the group Fix the City, one of three groups that sued.
The ruling will also force the city to conduct a new approval process for the Hollywood plan, providing more accurate population data and improve its analysis of alternatives to the plan, said Frank Angel, the lawyer with Save Hollywood, another group that sued.
“It’s a clear-cut victory for all three plaintiffs and the community,” Angel said.

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