Community group files lawsuit alleging Brown Act serial meetings over downzoning decision
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Summary
Speakers said a lawsuit was filed claiming National City council members held serial meetings and made a pre-determined decision to reject a downzoning request; plaintiffs seek to void the June 17 motion.
Attorneys and community members told the National City Council during public comment that they have filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the Brown Act, California’s open-meetings law, and asked the council to address alleged “serial meetings” that pre-decided a zoning outcome.
What was said: Multiple speakers, including a representative who said they had “formally filed a complaint with the superior court,” said the council had held meetings outside public view before a June 17 agenda item and that the public hearing on returning several properties on Orange and Sweetwater Road to residential zoning lacked unbiased discussion. Alexander Guthard and others said they seek a court declaration that the June 17 motion is “null and void” and that depositions will follow.
Why it matters: The complainants said the issue affects housing availability and decisions about whether commercial uses remain on parcels that previously contained residences. They argued the council’s prior decisions frustrated community opportunities to return land to residential use amid a local housing shortage.
Council response: Council members did not announce any immediate procedural changes during the meeting. The matter was presented during public comment; the council did not take a public vote or issue a response on the lawsuit at that time.
Ending: Speakers asked the council to address the alleged violations and reiterated that litigation has been initiated to remedy the alleged Brown Act breach.