Designer clothes controversy wearing thin
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Mary Altmann, a Malibou Lakeside resident, was back in court with Agoura Hills city officials last Thursday to determine whether she'd be allowed to recoup $81,000 for the time and money she spent fighting city hall.

Altmann represented herself in a lawsuit that claimed the development of Agoura Village violated CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and the city's municipal code. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ruled in her favor, forcing the city to conduct additional environmental studies before the 135acre residential and commercial development proposed for the south side of the 101 Freeway can get underway.

But the judge ruled in the city's favor in the second round of legal battles with Altmann. Although she had the legal right to ask for the reimbursement of some expenses, the judge awarded her only $4,300, just a fraction of the money she had sought.

"We won," Steele said. "(Judge Chalfant) granted our motion to tax costs, which means that all of the fluff stuff she had claimed she did not get."

The "fluff" included $976 reimbursement for DKNY designer suit and DKNY shoes, $19,600 for the "intellectual property" of her work, food and utility bills and other costs associated with the case. Altmann wanted the city to reimburse her more than $80,000.

Altmann would not comment on the ruling, but told The Acorn in June, "I would not have ordinarily purchased (the suit) if I weren't going to court."

Altmann may still be able to recoup attorney's fees. Steele said she claimed to have spent an estimated $6,000 consulting with attorneys on the case.

Altmann must submit invoices by Aug. 23 for the legal services she obtained during the proceedings before Chalfant makes his final ruling.

"That chunk of it remains open," Steele said. "We still don't think the law entitles her to that."

The city's legal tab was about $70,000, Steele said.

Agoura Village is a planned, pedestrian-friendly town center with a mix of retail, residential and commercial businesses.

It would lie mostly east of Kanan Road between Agoura Road and Roadside Drive.

Altmann has been a leading opponent of the development.