Castaic Lake Water Agency v. City of Santa Clarita

Castaic Lake Water Agency (Castaic) appeals from judgment entered following denial of petition for writ of mandate. Castaic contends the court erred in concluding that the City of Santa Clarita (the city) and the Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency (the agency) properly proceeded with a redevelopment plan under an exemption from the requirement of an environmental impact report pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA.)

Statement of Facts and Procedural History

The Northridge Earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994. On that same day, the federal government declared that a major disaster existed in the State of California, the Governor proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County and the city proclaimed a local emergency. On January 25, 1994, the city council authorized city staff to proceed with the preparation of a redevelopment plan for the disaster area. On February 8, 1994, the city council, by resolution, found that the entire city required a study to determine if a redevelopment project within the area was feasible. The resolution also noted the city had identified a critical need for economic development and community revitalization as…