4 L.A. projects eye fast tracking
New state law aims to expedite lawsuits against developments that meet wage and green standards.
SACRAMENTO — Four proposed “megaprojects” in Los Angeles could be fasttracked under a new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday.
The measure aims to speed up any lawsuits under the state’s primary environmental law governing development against large projects that also pay high construction wages and meet certain greenhouse gas and renewable energy standards.
The new law, sponsored by state Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton), applies across the state. And proponents of four projects in Los Angeles have already said they plan to apply for the benefit.
The law says environmental lawsuits against the projects shouldn’t take longer than nine months to complete, something that the Los Angeles developers believe could get their projects off the ground three years faster than they would otherwise.
Here are the four projects that plan to apply:
A $1-billion redevelopment of the Crossroads of the World complex in Hollywood.
A $200-million hotel and residential development at Yucca Street and Argyle Av-
enue in Hollywood.
The redevelopment of Barlow Respiratory Hospital near Dodger Stadium that would add 400 singlefamily homes to the property.
A $1-billion park created by capping 38 acres of the 101 Freeway between Hollywood and Santa Monica boulevards.
Opponents of the law had questioned whether the environmental provisions were strong enough to allow for streamlined review in the courts.
It also remains to be seen how much the law will help the projects. None of the six that qualified under a previous version of the law has so far successfully used its provisions to go through court faster.
The new law takes effect immediately.