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| Emily Residents Granted Intervenor Status in Northern Lights-Emily Settlement HearingBy Paul Boblett, Editor Two Emily residents who have challenged a proposed settlement between the City of Emily and the developer of ‘Northern Lights Over Roosevelt Lake’ project will be allowed to intervene in the case. Last week, Judge David Ten Eyck of Crow Wing County District Court granted Donald Dee and Darril Wegscheid of Emily, ‘Intervenor’ status in the settlement hearing concerning ‘Northern Lights’. ‘Northern Lights’ is the proposed 90-acre, 48-lot residential development that bisects Minnesota Highway 6, and includes 1600 feet of lakeshore on Roosevelt Lake. By a 2-1 vote in January 2008, the Emily City Council ordered the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In February, Scott’s company, City Lakes Investment, LLC, brought legal action against the City to overturn the Council's decision to require the EIS. A settlement between the developer and City was approved by the Emily Council on May 12, and contains several conditions the developer agrees to, including the reduction of lots from 48 to 42 and limiting the shoreline to 16 docks. If the court approves the settlement, the order for an EIS would be annulled. In turn, Dee and Wegscheid are seeking a court order not allowing the settlement, and to require the EIS. ‘Northern Lights’ was the topic of several hearings last year that drew criticism from several residents, some of whom wanted a more indepth environmental study such as an EIS. An Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) has already been completed, eliciting over 50 responses from residents and state agencies. Following the EAW, the Emily Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in January. The court has until August 14 to render approval on the proposed settlement, or to continue the order for the EIS. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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