The Target store design was originally in conformance with the Vermont-Western Specific Plan and the Vermont-Western Station Neighborhood Area Plan (SNAP). It had a 2-level subterranean garage and a ground level store. Councilman at the time, Eric Garcetti pressured Target into changing their store into a 2-level above ground parking structure and a third floor store. This was part of Garcetti's scheme to increase the height of projects in the area. He needed the Target height to be higher so it could be used as a precedent for subsequent projects in the area. The new design required variances from the specific plan and SNAP. The city granted the variances. The lawsuit was about the falsehood of the findings necessary to justify granting the variances. The judge found that ALL of the findings were false. Had Target not listened to Garcetti, their project would already be complete and open for business. The fault for the Target store not being open goes directly to Eric Garcetti. 

By contrast, the Marshall's store at Hollywood and Western is on schedule to open in November because it does conform to the specific plan and SNAP.