Judge clears city in Target lawsuit

Deepa Bharath

Nearly a month after the Target store opened, a Santa Ana Superior

Court judge ruled Thursday against a Costa Mesa resident who sued the

city to stop the shopping center near his home.

Al Morelli had accused the city of speeding through approvals for the

center. He was suing for $1.4 million in punitive damages and $350,000

for violation of his rights to due process and depreciation of his

property value.

In April, the City Council unanimously approved plans for Target’s

17-acre site at 3030 Harbor Blvd., which includes a restaurant, retail

store and an outdoor garden center.

The city is pleased with the judgment, said Thomas Nixon, the city’s

attorney on the case.

Nixon said Morelli had a fair chance for a hearing on April 17, when

he was given an opportunity to present his case before the City Council.

Morelli declined to comment Thursday.