The Duluth City Council voted 9-0 to request a land-use study for the former Lester Park Golf Course, directing city staff to conduct a multi-topic review and public engagement process for the roughly 230-acre site.

The resolution (filed as Resolution 845 and taken as item 12 on the agenda) asks planning staff to examine existing zoning, infrastructure costs, comprehensive-plan alignment, park protections and demographic needs and to propose options that balance open space and potential development. The measure passed after more than an hour of public comment from residents, commission members and neighborhood advocates.

Why it matters: The site sits on Duluth’s eastern side and has been the focus of years of debate between residents who want the land preserved as parkland and officials and others who say the city needs sites that can help relieve a regional housing shortage. The council’s vote orders a formal study and public process rather than approving any land sale, rezoning or transfer.

Public speakers pressed for a transparent, broad process and for protection of open space. “The working group was not and cannot serve as a replacement for a transparent public planning process,” said Ansel Schimpf, who identified himself as executive director of a Duluth cyclists group and said he participated in a Lester Park working group. Schimpf and several other speakers said previous efforts lacked adequate public review and questioned whether infrastructure and geology make housing at the site costly.

Speakers representing conservation and neighborhood groups urged caution. Jill Crawford Nichols, speaking for the McCabe chapter of the Izaak Walton League, said the resolution “preordains the outcome for this public park to be housing and development” and called for a neutral study framework. Lakeside residents emphasized recreational, wildlife and cultural values tied to the open space.

Councilors described the vote as a step to create that neutral, inclusive process. “What this is is... a resolution requesting the land use study,” said Councilor Eric Forsman, who sponsored the motion and explained the study should include demographic analysis, current zoning, infrastructure cost estimates and stakeholder outreach. Forsman said the city has “over $100,000,000 in deferred maintenance in our existing parks” and that any future plan should weigh those needs along with possible housing options.

Councilor Ross Randolph and others said the study should also explore permanent park protections and ways to expand the city’s park acreage while allowing limited development in appropriate places. Council members emphasized the decision before them was to start a study and public process, not to approve a transfer of land or a sale. Vice President Lin Nephew and other co-sponsors said the study will include robust public engagement and that the planning commission and the council will have multiple review steps.

The resolution includes language directing that financial proceeds, if any, be handled with reinvestment in mind; sponsors discussed a provision that up to 50% of net proceeds be directed to a revolving loan fund for local development, though specifics will be determined during the study and later approvals.

Next steps: Planning staff will carry out the land-use study with a stakeholder process and return recommendations to the planning commission and the council. Any rezoning, transfer or sale would require separate formal approvals. Council discussion indicated the study is expected to include a public outreach schedule and be brought back for additional council consideration and planning commission hearings.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 845 (requesting a land-use study for the former Lester Park Golf Course): Moved by Vice President Nephew; seconded by Councilor Auel (recorded as councilor Awol in clerk’s initial note). Vote: 9–0, outcome approved.

- Resolution 821 (license agreement with Minnesota Power for EV charging stations in Canal Park): Moved by Councilor Swenson; seconded by Vice President Nephew. Councilor Eric Forsman abstained due to employment with Minnesota Power. Vote: 8–0 with 1 abstention, outcome approved.

- Ordinance 28 / Interim moratorium on certain short-term rental permits: Motion to table the ordinance was moved by Vice President Nephew and seconded by Councilor Forsman; vote to table: 9–0, outcome tabled. (The ordinance was not adopted at this meeting.)

- Ordinance 27 amendment (integrating protected-class advisory commissions as committees within the Human Rights Commission): Amendment to set a deadline and process for commissions to vote on incorporation passed 8–1 on first read; final adoption will return for a second reading with amended language.

What the council did and did not do

The council did not approve the sale, transfer or rezoning of the Lester Park property. The action authorizes a study and a public process; later votes would be required to alter zoning, transfer city land or finalize any sale.

Speakers and sources

Speakers at the meeting included residents and commission representatives who addressed the Lester Park matter in public comment, and councilors who spoke during the item’s discussion. Key on-record speakers quoted in this article are cited in the article speaker list and provenance below.

Ending note: Supporters and opponents said they welcome a transparent, public process; the council’s vote starts a formal study and guarantees additional public hearings and subsequent council review before any permanent change to the property.