Eller Media Co. v. Community Redevelopment Agency

Introduction

Plaintiff Eller Media Company (Eller) appeals from the judgment denying its petition for writ of administrative mandamus and request for declaratory relief. We affirm the judgment.

Procedural and Factual Background

In May 1986, the Los Angeles City Council adopted the Hollywood Redevelopment Plan (Plan), which encompasses a 1,100-acre area in Hollywood. The validity of the Plan was upheld in Morgan v. Community Redevelopment Agency (1991) 231 Cal.App.3d 243 [ 284 Cal.Rptr. 745 ].

In May and June 1999, Eller, which is engaged in the business of outdoor advertising, applied to the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety for building permits to construct two billboards within the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area (Project Area). One billboard was to be constructed at 6601-6613 Sunset Boulevard (Sunset site); the other was to be constructed at 1400 North Cahuenga Boulevard (Cahuenga site). In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.; CEQA), the community redevelopment agency (CRA) undertook an initial study (Initial Study) of each proposal to determine whether the proposed signs conformed to…