San Marino : Annexation Move Denied

California’s Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of homeowners in a county area near San Marino who want to be annexed to the city.

The Greenwood Homeowners Assn., which represents residents of an unincorporated area between east Pasadena and San Marino, took their case to the Supreme Court after the state Court of Appeal ruled in April that San Marino had the power to stop their annexation drive.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the city could legally stop annexation by ending property tax transfer negotiations with the Local Agency Formation Commission, the county agency that handles annexation proposals.

San Marino, and not the commission, should determine whether annexation is financially feasible, the court ruled.

“We’re very pleased with the ruling,” said Debbie Bell, assistant city manager.

The city faced paying for costly sewer improvements and police services in the unincorporated area, she said.

Sixty-four cities supported San Marino’s arguments in a legal brief to the Supreme Court.

The appeals court decision overturned a ruling by Superior Court Judge Stephen O’Neil requiring San Marino to continue talks with the commission.

Richard Stiles of the Greenwood Homeowners Assn. said the group probably cannot afford to continue the fight in federal court or to seek changes in the state law governing annexations.

The Greenwood area has apartments and condominiums, which are prohibited in San Marino.