Placerville Historic Pres. League v. Judicial Council of Cal.

*190 In this mandamus proceeding, plaintiff Placerville Historic Preservation League *639 (League) challenged the certification of an environmental impact report prepared by defendant Judicial Council of California (Judicial Council) in connection with the relocation of courthouse operations in the City of Placerville (City). The project considered in the EIR would consolidate trial court operations from two buildings, one of which is a historic building in downtown Placerville, into a single new building on the outskirts of the City. Although the draft EIR addressed the possible economic impact of moving judicial activities from the downtown courthouse, it concluded the impact was not likely to be severe enough to cause urban decay in downtown Placerville. In their mandamus action, the League contended this conclusion was not supported by substantial evidence, given the importance of the courthouse to downtown commerce. The trial court rejected the argument, and we affirm.

BACKGROUND

The Trial Court Facilities Act of 2002 shifted responsibility for California trial court facilities from individual counties to *191 the state Judicial Council. (Stats. 2002, ch. 1082, § 4, p.…