Cherry Valley Pass Acres and Neighbors, et al. v. City of Beaumont, E049651 (4th Dist. Div. 2, November 22, 2010)

In Cherry Valley Pass Acres and Neighbors, et al. v. City of Beaumont, the Court of Appeal considered Plaintiffs Cherry Valley Pass Acres and Neighbors and Cherry Valley Environmental Planning Group (“Plaintiffs”) claim that the City of Beaumont (“City”) abused its discretion in certifying the environmental impact report (“EIR”) for the Sunny-Cal Specific Plan (“SCSP” or “Project”) because it failed to properly address the Project's significant impacts on area water supplies and agricultural land uses. Both claims were rejected. The appellate court concluded that the use of existing entitlements for baseline conditions was legitimate when it corresponds to an conditions “on the ground” at the time environmental review commenced. It also concluded that there was substantial evidence to support the City's findings related to agricultural impacts.