One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Target Husk' Might Be Embroiled In A Legal Battle For Another 3 Years
It looks like the saga of the "Target Husk" will go on for eternity. The store may be at the center of another legal battle that could possibly last up to three years, reports the L.A. Times.
As we've noted in the past, the partly-built Target by Sunset Boulevard and Western Avenue has been a lightning rod for controversy. Some residents have opposed its construction, and they have, so far, been successful in delaying its completion. In 2014, the La Mirada Homeowner's Association filed a lawsuit saying that the building, which was 74-feet-tall, violated the area's 35-foot height zoning limit. Target then convinced City Council to amend the zoning laws in that area (through a process known as "spot zoning") to give a go-ahead for the building's height.
After this was granted, it looked as if the project may finally move forward. But, of course, the La Mirada Homeowner's Association came back with another lawsuit in June, questioning the legality of the zoning changes, and whether or not the developers had completed a legitimate environmental review of the construction site. Opponents also alleged that the city had improperly given the Target permission to sell alcohol.
Lawyer Robert P. Silverstein, who represents the La Mirada Homeowner's Association, said that the group will "will oppose any request" for Target to continue construction.
Richard Schulman, an attorney for Target, said that this new lawsuit could possibly take another 3 years to settle. But he added that he was "very confident" that the Target will still be built. In fact, the company is waiting on the Superior Court to look at the new zoning laws and decide whether or not developers can continue with construction. If given the green-light, Target plans to resume construction even as the lawsuit is ongoing.
"Target already knows that resuming construction will be at its own risk," said Schulman. "Given the meritless nature of the next round of lawsuits, though, Target is willing to take that risk."
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
