Topanga Ass'n v. County of Los Angeles

We examine, in this case, aspects of the functions served by administrative agencies in the granting of zoning variances and of courts in reviewing these proceedings by means of administrative mandamus. We *510 conclude that variance boards like the ones involved in the present case must render findings to support their ultimate rulings. We also conclude that when called upon to scrutinize a grant of a variance, a reviewing court must determine whether substantial evidence supports the findings of the administrative board and whether the findings support the board’s action. 1 We determine in the present case that the last of these requisites has not been fulfilled.

The parties in this action dispute the Mure of approximately 28 acres in Topanga Canyon located in the Santa Barbara Mountains region of Los Angeles County. A county ordinance zones the property for light agriculture and single family residences; 2 it also prescribes a one-acre minimum lot size. Upon recommendation of its zoning board and despite the opposition of appellant-petitioner—an incorporated nonprofit organization composed of taxpayers and owners of real property in the canyon—-the Los Angeles County…