After years of controversy and millions spent on lobbying and public relations, the Las Lomas project -- 5,500 homes, a hotel and 2 million square feet of commercial space -- has died a quiet day. There are few, if any, mourners.
On Thursday, Dan Palmer, the driving force behind the controversial project just outside the city limits north of the Valley, resigned as president of the Las Lomas Land Co. Hillary Orozco Norton, his staff lobbyist, already had left to ply her trade in the lucrative arena created by passage last month of the the half-cent sales tax increase for transportation project.
Then, on Friday, a judge threw out Las Lomas' $100 million lawsuit against the city.
It was a victory for community groups that mobilized to fight against the development when it appeared to be headed on the fast-track to city approval.
Northwest Valley Councilman Greig Smith, who championed their cause, announced the court ruling today.
"I am delighted that after six years of fighting this ill-conceived project, it appears to be finally dead," Smith said. "This victory is a great holiday gift for the community."
Las Lomss had a lot of momentum going for it, despite the opposition of the City of Santa Clarita, but Smith won a 10-5 L.A. City Council vote against it, raising issues of public safety, traffic and environment concerns.
On Thursday, Dan Palmer, the driving force behind the controversial project just outside the city limits north of the Valley, resigned as president of the Las Lomas Land Co. Hillary Orozco Norton, his staff lobbyist, already had left to ply her trade in the lucrative arena created by passage last month of the the half-cent sales tax increase for transportation project.
Then, on Friday, a judge threw out Las Lomas' $100 million lawsuit against the city.
It was a victory for community groups that mobilized to fight against the development when it appeared to be headed on the fast-track to city approval.
Northwest Valley Councilman Greig Smith, who championed their cause, announced the court ruling today.
"I am delighted that after six years of fighting this ill-conceived project, it appears to be finally dead," Smith said. "This victory is a great holiday gift for the community."
Las Lomss had a lot of momentum going for it, despite the opposition of the City of Santa Clarita, but Smith won a 10-5 L.A. City Council vote against it, raising issues of public safety, traffic and environment concerns.
Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests.
Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to
carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner,
Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers
in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the National Enquirer.
Thank you Councilmember Smith and the anti-Las Lomas folks!
Great News! Does anyone know who the Judge was or the Superior Court Case number?
The City of Santa Clarita was always against this project. This blog posting makes it appear otherwise.
http://www.santa-clarita.com/news/LasLomas/
I'm glad to see this happen however I think that LA needs to get a hold of this land before LA County or Santa Clarita take it on to build something else.
LA City Council has got to stop the log rolling on votes. Las Lomas is an example of a Councilmember showing LEADERSHIP on an important quality of life issue.
Why is there not more leadership from the Councilmember who district is affected by the silly Sunland-Tijunga Home Depot project pushed by Latham & Watkins? How long will pay to play be tolerated in our sad City government?
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