SEQUIM — With the fate of two large retail developments on the city’s west side in the hands of two Superior Court judges, the parties involved in legal wrangling over their construction can only guess at what happens next.
The city’s permitting for a large Wal-Mart store and a regional shopping center diagonally across West Washington Street near River Road is being challenged by a group of citizens who believe City Planner Dennis Lefevre acted precipitously in signing off on plans.
Lefevre was philosophical — and frustrated — Monday, the first day of the week following the pair of land-use trials filed by Sequim First against the city of Sequim and each developer.
“Quite frankly, I think this is a waste of time,” he said of the two trials last week — one in Port Angeles and the other in Olympia — and of the countless hours he said went into preparing for them.
As the lead official in charge of determining the completeness of applications for development, Lefevre said he felt the appeals to City Council and ultimately to Superior Courts amounted to second-guessing of efforts he undertook with great care.
“I don’t think the issues being discussed (in the lawsuits) are real issues at all,” he said.