Warehouse Opponents Vow to Continue Fight

A 2 1/2-year citizens’ battle over a controversial warehouse is still not over.

Citizens for Sensible Development, which has fought the Shaw Carpet warehouse at Valley View Street and Orangewood Avenue, says it is now taking its case to the state Supreme Court.

“This is the kind of case that the Supreme Court may choose to address in order to clear up inconsistencies in how the law is administered by the lower courts,” said Daniel Wildish, attorney for the citizens group. “This is an opportunity for the Supreme Court to clear up inconsistencies in the law and correct an unjust decision.”

Citizens for Sensible Development sued to halt development of the carpet warehouse after it was approved by the City Council in September 1994. However, the group lost in Orange County Superior Court and subsequently lost its appeal to the 4th District Court of Appeal. Both courts ruled that residents had failed to specify they wanted a new environmental impact report when they protested the warehouse before the council in September 1994.

Residents in south Cypress have charged that the warehouse brings noise and traffic pollution because of its size and 24-hour operation near residential areas.

Supporters, including the City Council, have countered that the warehouse actually causes less traffic than before, when the land was zoned for commercial use.

The warehouse is now built and in operation. Wildish has said a favorable court decision would not result in tearing down the building, but in more controls over its operation.

The long fight over the warehouse has included a bitter recall election in November 1995. Warehouse opponents targeted three council members because of their support for the warehouse. City voters, however, overwhelmingly rejected the recall and retained all three council members.