Local News in Brief : South County : Supervisors Sued Over Developer Agreements
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Two slow-growth groups have filed suit against the county Board of Supervisors, seeking to halt three residential development projects.
In three separate lawsuits filed in Superior Court, Laguna Greenbelt Inc. and Citizens for Sensible Growth and Traffic Control Inc. allege that the board approved the projects to circumvent the countywide slow-growth initiative that is scheduled to appear on the June 7 ballot.
The lawsuits seek to halt the Aliso Viejo, Bear Brand and Marina Hills residential developments. Under agreements with developers, the supervisors have exempted the projects from future zoning changes and new county land-use policies, such as those contained in the slow-growth initiative.
The suits argued that the county violated state law by not completing supplemental environmental impact reports for the projects. They further contended that development agreements approved by the board, in which supervisors promise not to change the projects’ permits for up to 20 years, are unconstitutional because they limit the rights of future elected officials.
The projects were approved by the board Feb. 10.
Belinda Blacketer, attorney for the slow-growth groups, said she also intends to file lawsuits to block three other development agreements involving Rancho Santa Margarita, Dove Canyon and Foothill Ranch.
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