Judges Allow Grading to Clear Way for Studio

Bulldozing may resume at the Playa Vista development after a ruling Tuesday by two federal appeals court judges.

U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judges Harry Pregerson and Robert R. Beezer denied a motion by environmental groups to reinstate a temporary restraining order that halted construction at Playa Vista for 10 days last month.

On Nov. 6, U.S. District Judge Ronald Lew lifted the ban on grading at the 1,084-acre site between Marina del Rey and Playa del Rey, only to have the appeals court reinstate it hours later pending a review of the issue.

Tuesday’s ruling effectively clears the way for construction to continue at the site, which is the planned home of the DreamWorks SKG Studio.

David Vena, an attorney for developer Playa Capital Corp., said grading should resume by the end of this week.

Environmentalists contend that grading will harm the habitat of several endangered species.

Steve Crandall, a lawyer representing the groups that sought the restraining order--Wetlands Action Network, Ballona Wetlands Land Trust and California Public Interest Research Group--said Tuesday that the groups are considering filing a lawsuit alleging that developers have violated the Endangered Species Act. A lawsuit charging that developers have violated the National Environmental Policy Act is still pending.