Federal Judge Says Agency Must Respond To City Next Week

The city of Santa Monica, CA filed a lawsuit in November seeking to close at least part of the 227-acre parcel which has been an aviation facility for nearly 100 years.

The FAA had asked for an additional 44 days beyond the 60 day reply period for the suit, which expired December 30. The Santa Monica Lookout reports that Judge John F. Walter has denied that request, saying the FAA had not demonstrated a "good cause for the requested extension" given the "time-sensitive nature of this action."

The city claims that it is released of its obligation to operate the land as an airport in 2015, according to a 1984 agreement with the agency. But the FAA says that the airport must be maintained "into perpetuity." The agency had no comment on the judge's ruling.

Santa Monica city attorney Marsha Moutrie said that the city expects that, rather than respond to the suit, it will move to dismiss the complaint. The FAA did not show its cards, but did say that it would comply with the Friday deadline to respond to the complaint.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.smgov.net, www.faa.gov