Judge rules for opponent of SW Mich. development

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A Kent County judge has ruled that a shopping center developer should have tried harder to buy a home in Grand Rapids owned by a man who was a vocal opponent of the project.

Circuit Judge Mark Trusock on Friday ruled that developer Steve Benner violated his end of an agreement to buy Joe Zuiderveen's home. It's near where the shopping center will replace a 33-acre orchard.

As part of the deal, Zuiderveen had agreed to stop opposing the project.

Benner's lawyer told the court his client was unable to get financing for the purchase of the $184,000 home. But Trusock said a verbal request by Benner for a mortgage was not a good-faith attempt.