In a published ruling, the Minnesota Court of Appeals held on April 21, 2009 that the City of Roseville properly declined to order an environmental impact statement before acting on a land-use approval application from Northwestern College. Greene Espel attorney John M. Baker argued the case for the City of Roseville. The suit was brought by a citizens’ group, after the College (located in Roseville and Arden Hills, Minnesota) submitted to the cities its long-term plans for controlled campus growth, as part of proposed amendments to prior land-use approvals. The Court of Appeals ruled that the environmental assessment worksheet prepared by the City was complete, and that the City properly considered the role that future permitting requirements would play in preventing significant environmental effects from arising.

Contact John Baker regarding the firm’s constitutional and governmental litigation practice, and Larry Espel regarding the firm’s environmental law practice.