Politics & Government
Development along St. Croix River Could Hinge on Lakeland Zoning Decision
The Lakeland City Council gave its OK to a new bluff house Tuesday, according to newspaper reports, in a challenge to state enforcement of federal Wild and Scenic Rivers restrictions.
The City of Lakeland again joined the tussle over federal restrictions on development along the St. Croix River, according to news reports, with its approval Tuesday of zoning variances for a teardown residential project near the bluffline.
The action could prompt a lawsuit by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, according to a state hydrologist cited by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The agency first court action after city approvals last June, the Star Tribune reported, and Lakeland agreed to review the five requested variances again.
The outcome could set a precedent for whether local or state government makes the call in evaluating whether proposals meet federal requirements, the Star Tribune said.
What's your take on local government vs. state agency enforcement of federal environmental laws along the St. Croix? Leave a comment below.
Related at Patch:
- St. Croix Crossing Construction Makes Some Nearby WI Neighbors Ill at Ease
- St. Croix 360: One Ton at a Time
- A Trip Back in Time: A View from the Main Street Bluff in 1884
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