A motion that would have ordered the City of Santa Clarita to increase the amount of compensation on deposit in an eminent domain/condemnation case involving property in the Centre Pointe area was denied by a Superior Court judge today in downtown Los Angeles.

The lawsuit, filed in 2001, alleges that the city unfairly developed land to extend Golden Valley Parkway and has been dragging through the court system for the last nine years.

The trial began in November 2005 and was completed Dec. 27 of that year. At that time, a judgment in favor of the defendants – all 21, plus their 15 attorneys – was handed down.

In April 2006, a motion for a new trial was filed with the court and the case continued its slow pace through the system. On Jan. 13, a surreply was filed by the City, with the resolution expected today.

According to a court spokesperson, the motion to increase the compensation was argued, but denied by the judge. No date was set for another hearing.