Agency

In this consolidated appeal, we address challenges to a redevelopment plan adopted by the Town of Mammoth Lakes and the environmental analysis performed on that plan. The trial court determined both the environmental analysis and the redevelopment plan complied with governing law. We disagree, and reverse both the trial court’s judgment upholding the environmental analysis and the trial court’s judgment on the validity of the redevelopment plan. Our decision also nullifies the trial court’s denial of motions to tax costs in the two actions below.

Facts

In March of 1996, defendants Town of Mammoth Lakes and Town of Mammoth Lakes Redevelopment Agency (Agency; collectively, the Town) began the process established by the Community Redevelopment Law (Health & Saf. Code, § 33000 et seq.) to adopt a redevelopment plan. Part of this process included the preparation of an environmental impact report (EIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.).

On June 18, 1997, both the Agency’s governing board of directors and the town council certified the EIR. The Agency also approved the proposed redevelopment plan and its…