St. Pete Beach wins legal challenge

A St. Pete Beach citizen's challenge to a comprehensive plan amendment approved by the city's voters has been turned down by a state appeals court. The suit alleged the city did not comply with state requirements for processing plan amendments.

Dr. William Pyle, represented by Tallahassee attorney Ross Burnaman, challenged a previous administrative order.

Burnaman made several technical challenges but focused on his claim that St. Pete Beach failed to follow amendment procedures required by state growth management laws. In its May 2009 recommended order, a judge found those claims had no merit.