Angels balk at mega-development near stadium

City officials in Anaheim on Tuesday could approve a large development project that borders Angel Stadium. But the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are not happy with that prospect and might sue if the city approves it.  

On deck before the Anaheim City Council is the LT Platinum Triangle project – complete with a 30-story condo tower, 21 restaurants, 200 hotel rooms and 77,000 square feet of office space.

But standing in the path of approval is the Angels, the team that’s been leasing the nearby stadium for the past 50 years.

Team officials and developers have been trying work out differences over the project concerning traffic and parking. Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey said it’s possible the city council's decision could be delayed if those differences can be settled in the short term. But it’s also possible the city could approve the project over the team’s objections.

"Obviously we hope that there will be a settlement and that we get our important issues addressed," Garvey said. "And if that doesn’t happen, then we’ll have to look at what options, including legal, are out there for us." 

The team has 30 days from city approval to file a lawsuit. City officials say all environmental ad traffic studies have been done, and any additional details need to be worked out the team and the developer event though the property in question is city-owned.

That argument might not fly for the Angels, who could opt out of their stadium contract as soon as 2018. Team officials say working out a new lease and coming to agreement with their potential new neighbors are two different and separate things. But if the Angels do eventually file a lawsuit against the city over this project, that can’t set a great tone for new lease negotiations.