California High-Speed Rail Authority settles suit with Bakersfield developer

The California High-Speed Rail Authority and developer Coffee-Brimhall LLC of Bakersfield, Calif., have reached an agreement regarding a proposed line that would have run through the developer's property.

The developer has agreed to refrain from taking legal action so long as the rail authority ceases its plans to construct any line that either “traverses or comes within one-half mile” of the property, according to a press release and local news media reports.

The agency has instead agreed to seek out other routes that avoid Coffee-Brimhall’s land for the line, which is slated to run from Fresno to Bakersfield.

Coffee-Brimhall was one of seven entities to bring forth a lawsuit against the rail authority under the California Environmental Quality Act. Although this and one other suit have been settled, the agency still faces five additional suits.