Three Peninsula Cities File Another Lawsuit Against Ca HSR Authority

It was to be expected. After the first lawsuit was dismissed, the plaintiff's attorney warned that the revised environmental document was inadequate. Menlo Park and Atherton were joined by Palo Alto as well as some non-profits.

1 minute read

October 6, 2010, 10:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The first lawsuit forced the High Speed Rail authority to decertify the Program Environmental Impact Report. It was revised, meeting the court-ordered revisions, and certified on Sept. 2. The nearby cities of Burlingame, Belmont, and Redwood City had considered joining the lawsuit but chose not to 'at this time'.

"The suit is the second legal challenge Peninsula cities have brought against the project. In 2008, Menlo Park, Atherton and four environmental groups filed a similar suit over the authority's decision to bring trains through the Pacheco Pass. Palo Alto later filed a brief supporting that suit.

A judge dismissed that suit, but not before ordering the rail authority to revisit the proposed route between San Jose and San Francisco and adjust its report."

From Palo Alto OnLine: Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton sue rail authority:

"The new lawsuit argues that because the broad program EIR violates state law, any project EIR based on it would also be illegal and "will result in irreparable harm" unless invalidated by the court."

Thanks to MTC Library

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 in Daily News via Silicon Valley Mercury News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

3 hours ago - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

5 hours ago - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

7 hours ago - WHYY