Landwatch San Luis Obispo Cnty. v. Cambria Cmty. Servs. Dist.

*640 A nonprofit organization petitioned for a writ of administrative mandate against a public agency, claiming that the agency violated provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The organization elected to prepare the administrative record. But because of unreasonable delays, the agency prepared the record. The agency prevailed and moved for costs that included the costs of preparing the administrative record and an appendix. The trial court found the agency acted properly in preparing the record and appendix. The organization appeals the costs awarded to the agency. We affirm.

FACTS

The Cambria Community Services District (District) approved an emergency water supply project on January 30, 2014. The resolution approving the project included a resolution that the project is exempt from the CEQA. The District issued a notice of exemption on September 9, 2014.

On October 14, 2014, LandWatch San Luis Obispo County (LandWatch) filed a petition for writ of administrative mandate. The petition alleged that the District in approving the project failed to comply with CEQA. ( Pub. Res. Code, § 21000 et seq. ) 1 LandWatch elected to prepare the administrative record…