The Hollywood Burbank Airport has done what no one in the Los Angeles area had dared to do: sue the California High Speed Rail project.
The Hollywood Burbank Airport has filed a lawsuit that could delay the California High Speed Rail project—it's the first such lawsuit in the Los Angeles region, although the project has previously attracted other forms of opposition.
"The suit alleges that the rail authority’s plans for tracks and an underground station near the airport could affect its operations and safety," reports Ralph Vartabedia for the Los Angeles Times. "It asks the state agency to reformulate its designs with a new environmental impact report that it would circulate for public comment."
The news of the lawsuit broke the same day that the California High Speed Rail Authority published the environmental impact review (EIR) for a key section of the project in Northern California. An EIR for the Burbank to downtown Los Angeles’ Union Station section of the project, approved by the California High-Speed Rail Authority in January 2022, triggered the lawsuit from the Hollywood Burbank Airport.
"If the airport succeeds in asserting the rail plan would harm its operations, it is unclear what mitigations the rail authority would be forced to make and how much delay it would cause," reports Vartabedia. "In the worst case, the suit could force the rail authority to move its right of way, requiring a new environmental analysis and considerable additional costs."
More details on where the Burbank to Downtown Los Angeles section fits into the planning and construction timeline for the beleaguered project are included in the source article below.
FULL STORY: Hollywood Burbank Airport files environmental lawsuit against California’s bullet train
California High-Speed Rail Recommits to Bakersfield-to-Merced Segment
The California High-Speed Rail Authority also certified the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the San Francisco to San Jose section of the route in August.
Lawsuit Uses Environmental Law to Challenge the Housing Element of L.A.'s General Plan
The city of Los Angeles in November wrapped up an update to a new Housing Element, as required by state law. A lawsuit will use a different state law to challenge the validity of the city's housing goals.
California Lawmakers Debate Killing High Speed Rail Funding
The cost increases and delays on the Central Valley project have some state lawmakers wondering whether funds should go toward local transit systems instead.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie