Week in review

CITY HALL

Mall giant files to dismiss appeal

General Growth Properties, the company that has waged a legal battle with the city over the Americana at Brand project since May 2004, has asked a state appeals court to dismiss its case, essentially paving the way for construction of the $264.2-million residential and commercial complex in the heart of Glendale's downtown.

The request for the dismissal of General Growth's appeal was filed Monday in the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles, according to court documents. On Nov. 17, a three-judge panel of the California Court of Appeals, Second Appellate District, upheld a January ruling by a Los Angeles Superior Court's judge, which rejected General Growth's claims that the city's environmental study of Americana's 15.5-acre site was faulty and that two buildings on the property were historically significant.

The court denied General Growth's request for dismissal on Wednesday, but city officials said the Galleria owners' attempt to end the appeal essentially signals the end of the case. General Growth has until Tuesday to request a review of the appeals court's decision by the California Supreme Court, after which all of its options will have been exhausted.

* Complaints from residents living along the Foothill (210) Freeway about excessive traffic noise have compelled the City Council to approve a week-long sound study of the stretch between Lowell and Pennsylvania avenues.

The council approved the seven-day, $11,680-study at its Tuesday meeting. It will be conducted by Laguna Niguel-based Mestre Greve Associates in the next few weeks, city planner Kathy Duarte said.

Residents' complaints have focused on what they say is excessive use of diesel truck compression brakes as they head east on the freeway's steep grade.

* A former Glendale Water and Power truck driver was found guilty Monday on two counts of felony workers' compensation fraud, more than three years after feigning an ankle injury on the job.

Robert Galante of Simi Valley, a 17-year department veteran power truck operator, was convicted by a Ventura County Superior Court jury on charges he defrauded the city of more than $50,000, said Thomas Malooly, a manager in the city's risk management division.