A San Francisco Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the approval of a new Grocery Outlet store in Fort Bragg. The suit, filed by Fort Bragg Local Business Matters against the California Coastal Commission, sought to overturn the commission’s decision that an appeal of the project failed to raise substantial issues.
Judge Christine Van Aken ruled on Monday in favor of the commission, the City of Fort Bragg, and the project’s developer, Best Development Group. Attorney Jim Moose, representing the developer, said the decision confirms the commission’s findings were supported by substantial evidence and were reasonable under local planning regulations.
The store is proposed to replaced the site occupied by a former county social services building on the corner of North Harbor Drive and South Franklin Street.
The ruling clears a major legal hurdle for the project, though opponents may still appeal. If no appeal is filed, the developer will proceed with securing necessary building and grading permits before construction begins.