Beach-Courchesne
Beach-Courchesne v. City of Diamond Bar
Opinion
Opinion
Klein, J.
Plaintiffs and appellants Barbara Beach-Courchesne, Norman Beach-Courchesne, Joyce K. Birrell, Kathryn Irene Brown, David R. Busse, Mary F. McCormick-Busse, Frank J. Dursa, Michael M. Graves, Stephen E. Nice, Janet S. Nice, Rev. Dr. Larry Rhodes and Guillermo Romero (plaintiffs) appeal a judgment denying their petition for writ of mandate, wherein they sought to set aside the decision of the Diamond Bar City Council adopting a redevelopment plan.
The essential issue presented is whether substantial evidence supports the trial court’s decision upholding the city’s redevelopment plan.
We conclude there is no substantial evidence that the project area is blighted, which is a prerequisite under the Community Redevelopment Law (CRL). (Health & Saf. Code, §§ 33000 et seq., 33030.) Therefore, the judgment is reversed with directions to invalidate the plan.
Factual and Procedural Background
a. Background.
Diamond Bar, comprised of rolling hills and valleys, is located at the junction of two major Southern California freeways (57 and 60) in southeastern Los Angeles County. It developed mainly as individual and unrelated single family residential tracts, with a minimal amount…