ELR Citation: ELR 20154
No(s). s. G034014 (Cal. App. 4th Dist. Jul 25, 2005)

A court upholds the denial of a citizen group's motion for attorney fees in its California Environmental Quality Act action against a city in connection with the approval of a retail warehouse construction project. There were no significant benefits derived by a large number or class of people as a result of the group's case, and the group did not obtain the outcome it desired. Although the group was successful on its claim that the mitigated negative declaration for the project needed to be revised, the mere vindication of a statutory violation is not sufficient to be considered a substantial benefit by itself.