LANCASTER : Appeal Expected on Construction Ruling

The law firm challenging Lancaster’s right to spend $24 million originally intended to promote low-cost housing on building two highway overpasses was expected today to appeal the San Fernando Superior Court decision that upheld the city’s plan.

Kathryn Reimann, an attorney for the Los Angeles-based law firm of Kane, Ballmer & Berkman, said she believes that the plan is illegal under state law and involves a conflict of interest by the city’s attorney, despite the opposite ruling Aug. 28 by Judge David Schacter.

In a related move, the Lancaster City Council voted Monday to authorize an alternate funding plan for the second of the overpasses in case the legal fight is not resolved by the time the project is ready to proceed. The city had already approved alternate funding for the first overpass.