WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Freeland Concerned Citizens dismisses its lawsuit over Harbor Inn project

Jessie Stensland reports from Island County Superior Court:

A group of residents voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit that challenged Island County’s award of $1.5 million to a nonprofit organization that plans to convert a Freeland motel into low-income housing.

They Said It

Island County Superior Court Judge Carolyn Cliff granted the dismissal but ruled that the defendants can file motions to compel Freeland Concerned Citizens to pay their attorneys’ fees based on a law that allows prevailing parties in frivolous lawsuits to receive expenses.

The defendants also argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed with prejudice because the LLC “should not be permitted to reserve the right to re-file a lawsuit beset with incurable legal infirmities.” On this issue, Cliff agreed with the plaintiff.