LA mega-projects may get break from environmental lawsuits

The California Assembly passed a bill Thursday that would grant large developments some reprieve from environmental litigation, ensuring that any lawsuit filed against projects worth more than $100 million would be resolved within nine months.

To qualify for the reprieve, projects would also have to create a certain number of high-paying jobs and meet the state’s clean energy standards.

If the measure passes Senate, where it’s now headed, projects like Harridge Development’s $1 billion redevelopment of the Crossroads of the World complex in Hollywood would be eligible to apply for the “fast-track” status, the L.A. Times reported.

Other projects that could receive litigation relief include Related’s hotel and residential development at Yucca Street and Argyle Avenue, the redevelopment of Barlow Respiratory Hospital near Dodger Stadium and a $1 billion park between Hollywood and Santa Monica Boulevards.

Proponents of the law say the bill would expedite the construction of some major projects by up to three years. [LAT] — Cathaleen Chen