Bald Eagle Estates project halts after developer withdraws zoning application.

The Bald Eagle Estates project, run by developer Newhaven LLC has come to a stop after the company withdrew their zoning application on Friday. The application was originally on the agenda for approval at the Duluth City Council meeting Tuesday night but has now been removed.

The project has met pushback from the Hawk Ridge Estates Association and community due to the classification of the zoning project. The land is currently zoned under the Residential 1 Traditional permit, giving the community and the city council the power to make decisions regarding the steps taken by the developers. Newhaven LLC applied to have the land rezoned to Residential Planned, requiring the company to only need to meet with the community once – all other decisions would be left for the developers to approve.

“The big issue is how much oversight do we want with developers in our community. You know, we are going to have development coming in the future, it needs to be done properly with oversight, and that has been our position all along,” said Paula Tsufis, vice president of the Hawk Ridge Estates Association.

Due to their decision, the developers cannot apply to rezone the land for one year. The reason for Newhaven’s withdrawal is currently unknown, but Arik Forsman, Duluth City Council member, explained that the developers plan to sell the land.

“So ultimately we are in a position now where I think the city needs to look at, in the future when we’ve got developers who want to come in and try something that maybe doesn’t fit a perfect description of what’s in out code, what’s our approach and are we going to be willing to be flexible and work with them? And I hope we will be,” said Forsman.