A Superior Court judge confirmed his tentative decision to dismiss a lawsuit pushing for a citywide review of condo conversion projects.
The plaintiffs – the Affordable Housing Coalition of San Diego County and Citizens for Responsible Equitable Environmental Development – did not properly ask for trial, Judge Ronald Prager said Friday. They will have a chance to ask the judge to allow the lawsuit to proceed in September, despite the legal glitch.
The activists argue that energy consumption, air quality, parking and traffic are all affected by condo conversions, especially after the conversion of or proposed conversion of 30,000 since 2004.
On Monday, the City Council denied the groups’ appeals, despite an opinion by the city attorney that supports the activists’ claims that the California Environmental Quality Act mandates a study.
The activists say a cumulative study will prove that individual condo conversion projects need to be examined more thoroughly. A City Council majority and the Mayor’s Office argue that the city has accommodated the impacts of those projects through legislation.