Trying to sort out what has happened and how our city came to be embroiled in a controversy over the use of Lighthouse Point? Here's a short summary and timeline.
After years of back and forth since Cave purchased the land from the DM&IR Railroad's holding company on Dec. 31, 2002, he reached that agreement with the council in October 2006, just weeks before the 2006 election. The following spring, instead of beginning construction, Cave went to court trying to get his agreement with the city tossed out-- about the time he received the results of preliminary testing on the contaminated soil in the grassy area on the Point. While all of his legal efforts to overthrow it have so far failed, he has filed yet another suit as of fall 2008.
It is not clear what Cave, doesn't like about this deal. Among other things, the existing agreement allows for zoning changes and tax breaks that will allow Cave to develop condominiums on nearly half of Lighthouse Point. A reasonable assumption is that with just one more supporter on the seven-member city council, he believes he might do better for himself. His website shows his desire to develop the entire Point with no park land for the city. (Google “Save Lighthouse Point” and his website will come up near the top of the list.)
Here’s the short version:
Meanwhile, the Lighthouse Point Group has followed the process through getting freedom of information requests of pertinent documents. We read the summer 2007 environmental report done for the developer under the MN Dept. of Pollution Control program the developer enrolled in. We read the report, had many questions, and in fall of 2007, hired an expert in environmental testing to review the report and write a response for us to the MPCA. We are currently waiting for a response to our letter. Our contact at the Duluth MPCA office is not sure what will be done, if anything. We may pursue action through the Department of Health if we get no response.