Westfield Proxy “Arcadia First” Blocked Report’s Passage, Prompting News Suit from Caruso
The civil case filed against the City of Arcadia and Westfield by Caruso Property Management, Inc. will proceed to litigation after the parties were unable to reach a settlement in a discussion period, city officials said.
The lawsuit, which was filed in August, alleged that the city’s environmental impact report was insufficient for Westfield’s conversion of retail space into restaurant facilities for its newest addition, The Promenade.
The discussion period is mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act, said Stephen Deutsch, Arcadia’s city attorney.
“The city’s conclusion on the environmental impact report has not changed – we feel it is sufficient,” said Jason Kruckeberg, Development Services Director for the city of Arcadia.
The lawsuit follows Westfield’s case against Caruso to stop the development of The Shops at Santa Anita project.
According to Kruckeberg, Caruso hired an independent economic consultant to review the project and its impact on other commercial areas, and a traffic engineer to review increased activity in the area in response to concerns about the project.
The Caruso environmental impact report was the most thorough one the city’s ever done, he said.
“The city staff recommended and the council approved the Caruso development. It’s a project that the city wants,” Kruckeberg said. “The city wants both to move forward, to exist and succeed.”