HUNTINGTON BEACH’S CENTRAL PARK (City of HB photo).

A lawsuit has been filed against the City of Huntington Beach to block a planned light show to be staged in the city’s Central Park East.

The Protect HB group filed a petition in Orange County Superior Court on Thursday claiming that the light show – intended to bring more revenue to the cash-strapped city – violated state environmental law.

On Feb.18, the council approved on a 7-0 vote the agreement with Flowers in the Sky Entertainment LLC for the management and operation of the “Symphony of Flowers” light show on a six-acre site.

Critics claimed the event would risk environmental damage to the park – located at Talbert Street and Goldenwest Street – including the dislocation of wildlife.

The city would receive at least $150,000 a year during the three-years of the contract, with shows for about six months annually.

At a report to the council on Feb. 4, a consulting firm told city leaders that Surf City will likely be running deficits annually through the fiscal year of 2033.