“We Are Aptos” Loses Lawsuit Against County

The Group also Loses its Lawyer Who Asks to be Relieved as Council

The lawsuit, filed last February against the county by “We Are Aptos,” claimed that the development map approved by the county last year for the Aptos Village Project was not accurate and therefor the project should not be allowed to proceed.

The suit was thrown out by Judge Burdick at a predisposition hearing on September 1. The judge ruled that none of the arguments put forth to stop the Project by the group We Are Aptos, headed by Becky Steinbruner, was found to have any merit.

Jason Hoppin, Communications Manager County of Santa Cruz said, “We are pleased that the court agreed there was no merit to this suit. Aptos Village is the result of decades of community discussion and input, and will result in environmentally friendly, transit-oriented and much needed housing, along with new community amenities and traffic improvements. We look forward to watching progress unfold along with the rest of the community.”

Shortly after the court threw out the lawsuit, the lawyer for We Are Aptos, William Parkin, filed a motion asking Judge Burdick that he be relieved as the group’s council. In his motion Parkin said, “There has been a fundamental breakdown in communication between the Client and my office which hampers our ability to represent the Client.”

Parkin went on to say, “Further, a member of the Client’s steering committee has also taken matters into her own hands …” that, “The Client insists that we present claims that are outside the scope of this case, not warranted under existing law…” and that, “I believe that the Client has created serious ethical problems for our continued representation…”

Steinbruner, as part of her opposition to the Aptos Village Project, had been a candidate in this year’s June primary against incumbent Zach Friend for County Supervisor of the 2nd District. The election results had Friend winning with almost 72% of the vote against Steinbruner’s 18%.

We Are Aptos can appeal Judge Burdick’s ruling but will have to find another lawyer to take the case.