Five-story mixed-use project on a 1.29-acre former church site on Foothill Boulevard. Includes 80 residential condominium units (16 affordable/low-income), 16 non-serviced hotel units, 7,261 sq ft of office space, and 192 subterranean parking spaces. Cedar Street Partners filed a Builder's Remedy application in November 2022 after the city failed to adopt a compliant Housing Element. The city unanimously denied the application in May 2023. On March 4, 2024, Judge Mitchell Beckloff issued the first California court ruling affirming a Builder's Remedy project. The city dropped its appeal in March 2025 under threat of a $14 million bond. Entitlements were fully approved October 3, 2025. In August 2025 the developer had asked the court for $6.3 million in damages from the city; the court denied the motion on October 17, 2025, and the developer appealed. The city says the project has moved to building and safety review, including review by the county fire department.
City Council · Court · Planning Commission · Judge Mitchell Beckloff
| Date | Event | What the record shows |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2015 | Site History | Oakmont Senior Living identifies the former Church of Christ Scientists property as a potential site for new senior housing. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| January 1, 2018 | Planning Commission Hearing | Oakmont's Planning Commission hearing for a 77,000 sq ft, 72-unit senior living facility. Planning Commission defers consideration. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| June 1, 2018 | Opposition Formed | Together La Cañada is formed as a nonprofit by Michael Gross specifically to oppose development at 600 Foothill. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| June 1, 2019 | Prior Developer Withdraws | Oakmont Senior Living withdraws without building, having faced years of community opposition. The Real Deal reported that an Oakmont executive received a dead rat in the mail sent from a La Cañada ZIP code. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| September 1, 2019 | Property Purchased | Cedar Street Partners purchases 600 Foothill Blvd from the Church for $4.2 million. Initial plan: 47-unit mixed-use senior housing project. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| July 1, 2020 | Entitlement Application Filed | Cedar Street Partners applies for entitlements for a 47-unit senior housing project. TLC opposition campaign intensifies. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| September 1, 2021 | Planning Commission Recommendation | Planning Commission recommends the City Council grant an exemption from the city's downtown zoning code. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| October 1, 2021 | Housing Element Deadline | State deadline for Southern California cities to submit updated 6th Cycle Housing Elements. LCF submits its draft to HCD. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| November 1, 2021 | City Council Denial (First) | City Council rejects Planning Commission recommendation and denies Cedar Street's entitlement application. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| December 1, 2021 | HCD Rejects Housing Element | HCD notifies the City that its Housing Element update requires significant revisions to comply with State law. Holland & Knight: https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2024/03/holland-knight-wins-first-superior-court-case-affirming-californias |
| February 1, 2022 | Alleged Pretextual Rezoning | City Council moves to create a new downtown zoning split. Developer alleges this was a pretext to preempt housing. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| October 4, 2022 | Noncompliant Housing Element Adopted | City Council adopts a Housing Element that remains noncompliant per HCD. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| November 10, 2022 | Builder's Remedy Application Filed | Cedar Street Partners files SB 330 Preliminary Application under Builder's Remedy for an 80-unit mixed-use project. Holland & Knight retained as counsel. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| January 1, 2023 | Full Application Filed | Cedar Street Partners files the full Builder's Remedy application. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/02/16/viciousness-la-canada-flintridges-nimby-showdown/ |
| February 21, 2023 | Second Housing Element Adopted (Still Noncompliant) | City adopts revised Housing Element; HCD finds it also noncompliant. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| March 1, 2023 | City Denies Application (First Denial) | Planning staff issues incompleteness determination, denying the Builder's Remedy application. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| March 3, 2023 | Lawsuit Filed (CFH) | Californians for Homeownership files suit alleging the city's Housing Element is noncompliant. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| March 14, 2023 | CalHDF Warning Letter | CalHDF submits warning letter to City Planning Director. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| March 22, 2023 | HCD Letter of Technical Assistance | HCD sends Letter of Technical Assistance explaining why Builder's Remedy applies. HCD: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/planning-and-community/HAU/la-canada-flintridge-nov-060823.pdf |
| April 28, 2023 | CalHDF Second Letter | CalHDF sends second warning letter directly to City Council before May 1 hearing. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| May 1, 2023 | City Council Denial (Unanimous) | City Council unanimously adopts Resolution 23-14 denying developer's appeal. The Real Deal: https://therealdeal.com/la/2023/05/05/la-canada-flintridge-doubles-down-on-builders-remedy-fight/ |
| June 8, 2023 | HCD Notice of Violation | HCD issues formal Notice of Violation to City Manager Mark R. Alexander. HCD: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/planning-and-community/HAU/la-canada-flintridge-nov-060823.pdf |
| July 21, 2023 | Developer Files Lawsuit | 600 Foothill Owner LP files writ petition (Case No. 23STPC02575). City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| July 25, 2023 | CalHDF Files Lawsuit | CalHDF files separate petition (Case No. 23STCP02614). CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| September 5, 2023 | Court Orders Rezoning (CFH Case) | Court rules in CFH case that the city should have adopted zoning regulations concurrently with its Housing Element. Orders rezoning within 60 days. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| September 19, 2023 | City Adopts New Zoning Code | City Council adopts new zoning codes increasing density by 160% and zoning 684+ housing units. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| November 17, 2023 | HCD Certifies Housing Element | HCD certifies the Housing Element. Does not retroactively eliminate 600 Foothill's Builder's Remedy rights. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| December 12, 2023 | Governor and AG Intervene | Newsom, Bonta, and HCD formally intervene in CHDF lawsuit. Newsom press release: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/12/12/governor-newsom-attorney-general-bonta-take-legal-action-against-la-canada-flintridge-to-enforce-californias-housing-laws/ |
| March 1, 2024 | Four-Hour Court Hearing | Judge Beckloff holds four-hour combined hearing. CalHDF: https://calhdf.org/legal-case/la-canada-flintridge-600-foothill-blvd/ |
| March 4, 2024 | Landmark Court Ruling | First California court ruling affirming Builder's Remedy. Holdings: city cannot self-certify retroactively; Builder's Remedy rights vested on SB 330 application date; city's refusal constituted "disapproval" under HAA. Court Order: https://lcf.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-03-04-Order-Granting-Petitions-1750-6.pdf |
| June 17, 2024 | CalHDF Moves for $14M Appeal Bond | CalHDF files motion seeking $14M appeal bond. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| March 3, 2025 | Court Rules $14M Bond Required | Court rules the $14M appeal bond is required. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| March 4, 2025 | City Drops Appeal | City Council votes to dismiss its appeal rather than post the $14M bond. City press release: https://lcf.ca.gov/la-canada-flintridge-city-council-moves-to-conclude-legal-wrangling-on-600-foothill-fiscal-reality-requires-responsible-choice-to-end-appeals-process/ |
| June 17, 2025 | City Approves Settlement Agreements | Settlement agreements approved: $48k to CFH; $1.26M to CalHDF; $3,558 to AG. City press release: https://lcf.ca.gov/city-of-la-canada-flintridge-settles-claims-as-part-of-three-housing-related-lawsuits/ |
| June 30, 2025 | AB 130 Signed (CEQA Exemption) | Newsom signs AB 130, providing CEQA exemption for qualifying infill projects. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| August 28, 2025 | Developer Seeks $6.3 Million in Damages | 600 Foothill files a motion to recover $6.3 million in damages from the city. City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| September 18, 2025 | Planning Commission Approves Entitlements | Planning Commission approves Tentative Tract Map, CUP, and Tree Removal Permit. City of LCF: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| October 3, 2025 | Final Entitlement Approval | City Council approves Vesting Tentative Tract Map. First Builder's Remedy project fully entitled in Southern California. Multi-Housing News: https://www.multihousingnews.com/la-area-mixed-use-project-gets-approved-after-6-year-struggle/ |
| October 17, 2025 | Court Denies Damages Motion | The court agrees with the city and denies the developer's damages motion. City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| October 27, 2025 | Developer Appeals Damages Ruling | 600 Foothill appeals the October 17 ruling. The city says the project has moved to building and safety review, including a county fire department review. City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| Date | Body | Action | Vote | Staff rec. | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2023 | City Council | denied | — | Unknown | City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| March 4, 2024 | Court | ruling issued | — | Unknown | City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| September 18, 2025 | Planning Commission | approved | — | Unknown | City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| October 3, 2025 | City Council | appeal upheld | — | Unknown | City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| October 17, 2025 | Court | ruling issued | — | Unknown | City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
| October 27, 2025 | Court | appeal filed | — | Unknown | City of La Cañada Flintridge: https://lcf.ca.gov/lcfhousingpolicy-legalmatters/ |
Rating 4 of 5. Primary records for the key facts; minor details may rest on reporting. Corrections: https://whokilledthebuilding.com/corrections.