(Nov. 26, 2008) -- Studebaker, LLC -- the entity which owns the Studebaker/Loynes parcel east of Studebaker Rd. previously proposed for a Home Depot anchored development (halted after a successful neighborhood/environmental court challenge to its EIR) -- has issued a statement through a LB spokesperson in the wake of a story broken today (Nov. 26) on TheDistrictWeekly.com by Senior Editor Dave Wielenga.

Studebaker, LLC's statement text issued by LB spokesperson Mike Murchison follows.

As mentioned before in a prior press release on August 1st regarding Studebaker LLC's intent to resubmit to the City for development of the site; Studebaker LLC has submitted a permit application to the City. The permit includes an environmental application for preparation of the revised EIR. The environmental application submittal came as a result of the Judge's ruling back in July, and our interest in having the environmental consultant prepare a revised EIR. We are committed to following the Judge's ruling and the City's process and look forward to development of the site in the near future as we know that a majority of Long Beach residents want to see the site improved.

As LBReport.com reported on August 1, Studebaker LLC issued a release at the time that said in pertinent part:

Studebaker, LB LLC settled with Los Cerritos Wetlands Trust in order to avoid additional expense and continued litigation of issues. Studebaker has decided to address the additional information required by the court in order to be consistent with the court's ruling. Public comments by interested parties involved are counterproductive to the terms of the settlement as the settlement is not yet finalized. Studebaker, LB LLC wants to make it very clear that the settlement does not in any way preclude us from moving forward with the proposed project, and, as such, are actively pursuing revisions to the EIR with the City of Long Beach, consistent with the Judge's order. We look forward to working with local officials and the community in providing a successful project on a site that the majority of Long Beach residents agree needs to be improved."

The entity Studebaker, LLC includes Tom Dean, who is also part of the entity that purchased and now owns the (nearly adjacent) 175 acre Los Cerritos Wetlands. As separately reported by LBReport.com, city management recently proposed to acquire the wetlands via a swap in which Mr. Dean's entity would acquire certain city owned developable land parcels.

A court action challenging City Council certification of the EIR for the Home Depot anchored project on the Studebaker/Loynes site (6-3, O'Donnell, Schipske, Gabelich dissenting) was brought by the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust (LCWLT) and the University Park Estates Neighborhood Association (UPENA). A Superior Court agreed with the challengers, decertified the EIR and Studebaker, LLC ultimately dismissed its appeal of the trial court ruling in settlement with the EIR challengers.

Developing with further to follow on LBReport.com.