Facts

Petitioners filed a writ of mandate challenging the City of Los Angeles' certification of an environmental impact report. The report related to the Griffith Park Crystal Springs New Baseball Fields Project, which involved the construction of two youth baseball fields in the Crystal Springs area of Griffith Park and was funded in part by Proposition K.

PETITIONERS' CONTENTIONS:
Petitioners contended that the construction of the baseball fields would be in one of the only areas of the park that could accommodate large group picnic activities. Furthermore, they contended that the Project would require the removal of at least 45 trees, including those designated as heritage trees. Petitioners claimed that the city's approval of the Project violated the California Environmental Quality Act because it failed to analyze alternatives that would lessen the Project's impact on biological resources or aesthetics and because it did not recognize the Project significant impact on recreational resources in the park.

Result

Pursuant to the settlement reached between the parties, the city agreed to modify the Project to include only one baseball field, and to increase its size to make it available for use by a wider range of players. This change would make removal of some trees unnecessary, including a heritage sycamore tree. The trees that would be removed for the Project would be replaced on a 2:1 basis in other areas of the Crystal Springs Picnic Area. Additionally, the picnic tables that would be displaced by the Project would be relocated and the old children's play area would be replaced with a new children's play area. The city agreed to pay petitioners' attorney fees and costs in the amount of $34,464.80.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Sept. 19, 2014.