A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that Vancouver city council was within its rights to fire the entire Board of Variance last month without cause.

The five former members of the board had argued the city had acted outside its authority and in bad faith when it dismissed them.

But Justice Robert Bauman has dismissed those arguments.

The Board of Variance hears appeals from people who disagree with Vancouver council's land-use decisions.

Former chair Terry Martin says the judgment sends the wrong message about the board's independence.

"It sets up a situation where any new board member in the future has to be looking over their shoulder every time they make a decision," he said.

"And that obviously makes it so that it's impossible to be unbiased, even if you're trying to be unbiased. In the back of your mind, you know that your decision may get you fired."

Coun. Peter Ladner has said the board was dismissed because it refused to bring legal and administrative spending under control.

However, former board member Quincey Kirschener says that's simply not true, noting only one board member was responsible for the budget.

"My reputation has absolutely been tarnished by this. I absolutely would like a public apology from Councillor Ladner."

The ex-members of the board say they are considering an appeal of the judge's ruling.