LAUREL HEIGHTS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO, INC., Plaintiff and Appellant, v. THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Defendant and Respondent, 47 Cal. 3d 376

Summary

Respondent regents of the state university purchased property in a residential/commercial neighborhood for relocation of a biomedical research facility. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an environmental impact report (EIR) was required whenever a public agency proposed to carry out a project that could significantly impact the environment. The university prepared the report which was subsequently certified by respondents. Petitioner neighborhood association sought a writ of mandate to set aside the report. The superior court denied the petition, holding respondents' action was supported by substantial evidence. The court of appeals reversed, finding the report did not discuss possible future activities and possible impact at the location, did not adequately discuss alternatives, and there was no evidence that adverse environmental effects would be mitigated. Upon review, the state supreme court partly affirmed the court of appeals decision, but held that the ...