Judge Denies Burbank Request Aimed at Halting Airport Plan

BURBANK — A judge has denied Burbank’s request for a court order Friday to stop the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority from taking possession of land for a controversial new airport terminal.

The ruling by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Carl J. West means the airport could take possession of the land as scheduled on Sunday.

The Airport Authority is in the process of condemning the land, a 13-acre parcel situated mostly to the north of the airport and owned by Lockheed Martin Corp.

Burbank, which opposes the planned terminal, wanted to block the condemnation.

Although its efforts were rebuffed, West added a twist welcomed by Burbank officials: He ruled the airport can’t build the new terminal on the land until a long-standing dispute over who controls airport development is settled. Burbank has argued that under state law the city has veto power over airport expansion. The airport authority disputes the claim.

West agreed to hear and rule on the dispute in coming months. Both sides called the ruling a victory.

“We are satisfied,” said Burbank City Manager Bud Ovrom, adding that the city’s main concern was blocking construction of the new terminal.

“This is good news from the authority’s point of view,” airport spokesman Victor Gill said. “We will have possession of the property.”

Gill said the authority will be allowed to finish cleanup and demolition of buildings on the site.