Judge Rejects 'SLAPP' Suit by Veranda Bay Developer Against Opponents Who'd Challenged County's Approval

Judge Rejects 'SLAPP' Suit by Veranda Bay Developer Against Opponents Who'd Challenged County's Approval

Rejecting what he saw as an attempt to silence an advocacy organization's right to challenge development, Circuit Judge Chris France on Friday ruled in favor of Preserve Flagler Beach and Bulow Creek, ending a year-and-a-half-old lawsuit filed against the group by Palm Coast Intracoastal. France termed PCI's action a SLAPP suit impermissible under state law, handing the grass-roots group a major victory against the chilling effect of such lawsui…