Once-controversial housing development advances in Duluth
DULUTH — A proposed housing development adjacent to Amity Creek galvanized Woodland residents opposed to the project in its first incarnation a few years ago.
But the developer, Kevin Christiansen, took what he heard and used neighbors’ criticisms to reshape his plans for more than 25 acres of land he owned on the west side of the designated trout stream.
Instead of bringing
25 to 30 homes to the property as first proposed,
Christiansen now aims to develop just 15 residential lots, with homes to be set back further from the steep banks of the sensitive waterway.
He also abandoned plans to extend Vassar Street — a quiet preexisting dead-end residential road — to provide access to the development. Instead, Christiansen now aims to build a new road, to be called Katherine Lane, that would provide direct access to the development from Woodland Avenue. The dedicated public street would end in a hammerhead turnaround.
(Gary Meader / News Tribune)
Christiansen’s modifications appear to have paid off, as the revamped project flew through the Duluth City Council on Monday night, with councilors unanimously voting in support of a revamped development agreement for what will be known as Amity Bluffs.
Councilor Wendy Durrwachter, who represents Duluth’s 1st District — including the Woodland neighborhood in question — said she had reached out to previous opponents of the project, who no longer expressed concerns regarding it in light of design modifications that had been made.
She praised Christiansen for listening and said, “I just want to applaud him for that,” calling his behavior “very noble.”
Durrwachter expressed her hopes that other developers may learn from Christiansen’s example, adding: “I’m very excited to have these new homes coming to the 1st District.”
Jenn Moses, a senior planner for the city of Duluth, gave Christiansen high marks, as well, saying, “I think the developer has spent a lot of time being very careful in his response to the neighborhood concerns.”
Amity Creek is seeking no public subsidies for the development, but it will require the extension of public utilities and the maintenance of what will become a public roadway, plus right of way.
Only about 15 acres of the property would be developed to accommodate housing development. The remaining 10-plus acres will be set aside in outlots to be used for stormwater management.
The developer will also be required to install permanent signs demarking sensitive wetland areas that should not be disturbed in the future.
Amity Creek will be expected to abide by a tree-preservation plan to be approved by the city forester.
During construction, the city will also require erosion controls to prevent sediment from washing away and potentially impacting Amity Creek.
About the Duluth City Council
The Duluth City Council’s regular meetings are on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m., with agenda meetings at 5:15 p.m. each Thursday preceding a regular meeting, unless otherwise scheduled, at City Hall, Room 330. Meetings are also livestreamed and recorded for later viewing at duluthmn.gov/city-council/city-council-meetings-events/council-meeting-media.
Wendy Durrwachter
District 1: Wendy Durrwachter
Represents: Duluth city precincts 1-7
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-730-5700, Ext. 3, wdurrwachter@DuluthMN.gov
Mike Mayou
Represents: Duluth city precincts 8-13
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 218-428-9195/218-730-5355, mmayou@duluthmn.gov
Roz Randorf.
Clint Austin / 2024 file / Duluth Media Group
Represents: Duluth city precincts 14-19
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-443-8364/218-730-5353, rrandorf@duluthmn.gov
Tara Swenson
Represents: Duluth city precincts 21-27
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 218-730-5356, tswenson@duluthmn.gov
Janet Kennedy.
Clint Austin / 2024 file / Duluth Media Group
District 5: Janet Kennedy
Represents: Duluth city precincts 28-35
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-341-6113/218-730-5357, jkennedy@duluthmn.gov
Azrin Awal
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 218-730-5359, aawal@duluthmn.gov
Arik Forsman
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-409-8822/218-730-5352, aforsman@duluthmn.gov
Lynn Marie Nephew
At large: Lynn Marie Nephew, vice president
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-730-5354, lnephew@duluthmn.gov
Terese Tomanek
At large: Terese Tomanek, president
Represents: All Duluth city precincts
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 218-216-9126, ttomanek@duluthmn.gov
Peter Passi covers city and county government for the Duluth News Tribune. He joined the paper in April 2000, initially as a business reporter but has worked a number of beats through the years.
This article was originally published by a www.duluthnewstribune.com . Read the Original article here. .