PORTLAND – The case of Belfast and the big-box stores officially came to an end Tuesday when the Maine Supreme Judicial Court issued a unanimous two-page ruling that the case is moot.

During oral arguments in May at the Penobscot County Courthouse in Bangor, Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley strongly signaled that was how the state’s high court would rule.

Lawrence and Mia Roops’ appeal centered on their challenge of the city’s 2004 decision not to allow changes to the language of a proposed amendment to Belfast’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance. The couple opposed changes to the plan that allowed big-box stores in the Searsport Avenue commercial district.

The Roopses apparently won their case in the court of public opinion before it could be scheduled for oral arguments before the justices.

The city charter provision that had allowed zoning ordinances to be changed through the referendum process was repealed. The zoning change that allowed 200,000-square-foot stores in that section of Belfast was rescinded.

jharrison@bangordailynews.net

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