Judge Denies "Request for Stay" to Stop MOVE Culver City Modifications

"Friends and Families for MOVE Culver City" recently filed an ex parte application with the intent to have the Judge halt MOVE Culver City modifications that are planned to begin this month. The Judge denied it immediately without allowing any oral argument and stated on the record "that is the weakest petition I've ever seen in an environmental case."

"Friends and Families for MOVE Culver City" will have a 60-day window to file an appeal of the Los Angeles Superior Court's recent ruling in favor of the City in a legal challenge to the City's modification of the MOVE Culver City Pilot Project. Legal counsel for the organization has notified the City that it intends to appeal the Superior Court's decision and request that the Court of Appeal issue an order stopping the MOVE Culver City Modifications.

On Tuesday, August 13th, the Court issued a Statement of Decision finding in favor of the City(PDF, 353KB)  on all causes of action. The Court found that substantial evidence supports the City Council's determination that the modified project was exempt from CEQA pursuant to the Class 1 categorical exemption and the statutory exemption in Public Resources Code Section 21080.25. The Court also found that substantial evidence supports the City Council's findings that there are no unusual circumstances that lead to a potential for any significant environmental impacts and that the Project will not result in any significant impacts. The Court also rejected the argument that the modified project is inconsistent with the City's General Plan.

The City was pleased with the Court's decision that found the City has authority to modify the pilot project and is exempt from CEQA in this situation.

During the lawsuit, the City delayed work on the Downtown Corridor with the goal of aligning the final decision of the trial court with the start of pre-construction activities for the MOVE Culver City Pilot Project. It has begun the next steps as approved by the City Council in September 2023.

Construction will begin in September 2024 and is expected to be substantially complete by December 2024. You can learn more about the construction notice on the City's website.