On December 13, 2012, Judge Timothy M. Frawley of the Sacramento Superior Court upheld the City of Sacramento’s and LAFCO’s 2008 approval of project entitlements and certification of the EIR for the 577-acre Greenbriar development project in Natomas. The City Council and LAFCO voted to approve the project and annex a section of land into the City – near the intersection of Interstate 5 and Highway 99 – to allow development of a 3,500-unit smart growth project that includes a transit stop for the Downtown-Natomas-Airport light-rail extension to Sacramento International Airport. The entitlements include a general plan amendment, pre-zoning, PUD guidelines and schematic plan, an inclusionary housing plan and a financing plan. Petitioners, Environmental Council of Sacramento and Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk, argued that the EIR failed to adequately address toxic air contaminants, flood risks, traffic impacts and impacts to the giant garter snake and Swainson’s hawk. The court rejected all of Petitioners’ arguments and ruled in favor of the City and Real Party in Interest on all causes of action. Thomas Law Group attorneys Tina Thomas, Ashle Crocker and Amy Higuera represented the project applicants throughout the administrative phase and during litigation.