LRNA
League of Residential Neighborhood Advocates v. City of Los Angeles
Opinion
Opinion
Snyder, J.
Proceedings: Plaintiffs Motion for Award of Attorneys’ Fees (filed 5/8/2009)
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
This action arises out of a dispute that has lasted more than a decade. It has spawned numerous administrative, state, and federal court proceedings directed to the question of whether the members of Congregation Etz Chaim may conduct religious services at a house located at 303 South Highland Avenue (“the Highland property”) in Los Angeles, California (“the City”).
A. The Commencement and Settlement of the Congregation Etz Chaim Action
The Highland property is located in an area that is zoned R-l (primarily residential) pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code § 12.08. As a result, Congregation Etz Chaim applied to the City for a conditional use permit (“CUP”) to operate a house of prayer at the Highland property. On October 16, 1996, the City’s Zoning Administrator denied this application. The Zoning Administrator’s decision was upheld by the Board of Zoning Appeals and sustained by the Los Angeles City Council.
On July 10, 1997, Congregation Etz Chaim and the individual members thereof (collectively, “the Congregation”) commenced an action against the City, CV…