Duluth, Minnesota Development News

Lester Park Initiative Ordinances Tabled Amid State Law Preemption Concerns

The council discussed Resolution 679, which determined that two initiative petitions concerning the land use and zoning of parcels near the former Lester Park golf course were preempted by state law and should not be placed on the ballot. Following extensive debate and clarification from the city attorney regarding preemption and pending litigation, the council voted to table this resolution until the next meeting on Monday. They also tabled Resolution 681, which would have submitted the Lester Park initiative ordinances to a special election on November 3, 2026. Additionally, the first reading of two proposed ordinances (26-033-0 and 26-034-0) by initiative petition, aimed at rezoning specific parcels of the former Lester Park golf course as park and open space and prohibiting certain types of development without voter approval, was presented. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter closed session to discuss litigation strategy.