Residents Sue to Halt Movie, Retail Complex

A group of Pasadena residents has sued the city and a developer to stop a proposed 14-screen movie and retail complex until an environmental impact report on the project is prepared.

The newly formed Pasadena Residents for a Healthy Environment announced the filing of the suit Tuesday, which names the city and Ira Smedra, the developer of the proposed Hastings Village Shopping Center in eastern Pasadena.

In March, the Pasadena City Council approved a conditional-use permit for the 300,000-square-foot complex and declared that mitigation measures on the project made an environmental report unnecessary.

The suit asks a judge to set aside the permit approval and require an environmental study because the project will generate significant traffic, noise and air pollution, said the group’s attorney, Jan Chatten-Brown.

City officials said they have complied with state law and have had half a dozen hearings on the project and will vigorously defend their actions.

Chatten-Brown said the South Coast Air Quality Management District sent a letter to the city stating that an environmental report was warranted because of the level of air pollutants that would be generated by traffic drawn to the complex.

The lawsuit will go before a judge within 60 days. If a judge orders an environmental report, it could take about six months to prepare.