A growth management hearings board has ruled in favor of the city of Bainbridge Island in a challenge over the city’s controversial Shoreline Management Master Program.

A group of shoreline property owners had filed a challenge to the city’s updated plan in October, and claimed it violated state law, conflicted with Bainbridge’s development regulations and also ran afoul of the city’s and the park district’s comprehensive plans.

In the April 6 decision, the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board said the group did not prove its case.

The group included Preserve Responsible Shoreline Management, Alice Tawresey, Robert Day, Bainbridge Shoreline Homeowners, Dick Haugen, Linda Young, Don Flora, John Rosling, Bainbridge Defense Fund, Gary Tripp and Point Monroe Lagoon Home Owners Association, Inc.

The hearings board rejected the challenge and dismissed the case.

The city received the decision on April 8.

In a press release Thursday, City Manager Doug Schulze stated that he was “pleased, but not surprised, with the growth management hearing board’s decision.”

“The city hopes that the decision will allow for staff to turn their focus and limited resources to other important matters, such as ensuring a robust and inclusive comprehensive plan update process,” Schulze added.

The decision has been posted on the city website at www.bainbridgewa.gov.