Resource Defense Fund v. Local Agency Formation Commission

This appeal involves a challenge to the decision of the City of Watsonville and the Santa Cruz County Local Agency Formation Commission (hereafter LAFCO) to annex approximately 74 acres of open space agricultural land to the City of Watsonville.

In January 1981 the owners of a 72-acre apple orchard (the Franich property) petitioned for annexation of the property to the City of Watsonville in order to develop the property for housing. The request was reviewed by the Watsonville Planning Commission and a draft environmental impact report (EIR) was prepared and circulated. The planning commission recommended to the city council that the property be prezoned for development.

On October 27, 1981, the Watsonville City Council held a public hearing and enacted certain resolutions to adopt findings relating to the EIR, prezone the property and initiate annexation proceedings. The city thereupon submitted an application for annexation to the LAFCO.

On September 1, 1982, the LAFCO held a public hearing and adopted findings to approve the annexation. The LAFCO then remanded the matter to the Watsonville City Council. On October 5, 1982, the Watsonville City Council held a public…