Judge dismisses Big Pass lawsuit

At an Oct. 4 Siesta Key Association meeting, board member and Siesta resident Catherine Luckner was optimistic about the group’s latest legal challenge contesting the city’s plans to dredge Big Pass.

Although the city had filed a motion to dismiss the case, Luckner believed the association made a compelling argument that the county needed to review the Lido Key renourishment project before it could move forward. She was confident the city’s motion would be unsuccessful and a circuit court hearing would go forward.

“I believe that we will have the right to be heard,” Luckner said. “I have no reason not to think that.”

Eight days later, a judge granted the city’s motion, dismissing the Siesta Key Association’s challenge of the dredging.

On Friday, 12th Circuit Court Judge Andrea McHugh ruled the Siesta Key Association and co-plaintiff David Patton failed to make a case for legal action. The challenge argued the project failed to comply with the city and county comprehensive plans and the state Community Planning Act.