Community Corner

Federal Judge Tosses Church's Petition to Reopen Lawsuit Against Wayzata

Judge: "It is the court's sincere hope, with this litigation put to rest, that the parties will stop viewing each other as adversaries, put aside their differences and be...good neighbors to each other."

A U.S. District Court judge has denied a motion filed by the to reopen its civil lawsuit against the City of Wayzata.

The court’s full, 18-page ruling—issued Aug. 31—can be read above and is available for viewing in full-screen mode. 

Citing violations of its civil rights, the church sued the city back in 2010 after its request to construct a new building on the 2000 block of Wayzata Boulevard East was turned down.

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After a string of complex legal proceedings, a magistrate judge issued an order over the summer detailing settlement terms between the two parties.

The city council unanimously approved the settlement terms, but lawyers representing the church claimed in subsequent court filings that “a binding settlement has never been formed" and motioned for the suit to be reopened.

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The latest ruling denies the church's motion and sets in motion a course that is likely to end the litigation for good.

Full terms of the settlement, as well as a complete background of the case, can be found by following the links below:


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