There are several housing projects in the works right now in Duluth. Although there’s concern about how to move forward with rezoning a new housing development, the Bald Eagle Estates near Hawk Ridge, the Hawk Ridge Estates Association is asking the Duluth City Council to reject the rezoning request for the project. 

Paula Tsufis, the Vice President of the Hawk Ridge Estates Association says she and other residents aren’t against new housing. Although they want the future homes to meet specific criteria similar to the neighborhood zone.

“We welcome new development up there. We just want it done in a responsible fashion and transparently,” Tsufis said. “All of Hawk Ridge estates are 30 foot homes. They’re tucked into the hillside. It was really nicely done by the city 20 years ago. So there’s really no need to rezone it from our one to this residential plan. And there’s a lot of drawbacks to doing that.”

Tsufis says she and other members of the Hawk Ridge Estates Association want more oversight with zoning for Bald Eagle Estates. Arik Forsman with the Duluth City Council says they have made some changes to the developer’s plans.

“The original proposal that the developer had asked for was a 45-foot height limit,” Forsman said. “Which was quite a bit higher than what we’re talking about. Which is either 30 or 35 feet, somewhere around there now.”

The Duluth City Council will meet on Monday to discuss the zoning ordinance. Forsman says there’s still time for the Duluth City Council to deliberate on the issue.

“You always have to look at the specifics, when you’re talking about a particular plot of land and the rules in our comprehensive plan and our zoning code. So all that stuff comes into play,” Forsman said. “You have to balance those neighborhood concerns, that are valid and reasonable, and what’s the reasonable thing to do from an entire city perspective.”

For more information about the Hawk Ridge Estates Association you can read more here. Also for the story about the Bald Eagle Estates project you can read more here.