On the Mpls 2040 Lawsuit
On June 15, Judge Joseph R. Klein ordered the City to immediately stop “any ongoing implementation of the 2040 Plan” until the City satisfies the requirements of the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA)” which could include completing an environmental assessment. On June 20, the city filed an appeal. The case has been brought forward by Smart Growth Minneapolis, formed, it seems, to oppose the plan as a “non-profit organization 100% funded by individual donations.” Their president is John C. Goetz, and their legal team includes Jack Perry, Maren Grier and Thomas Basting all from Briggs & Morgan, we well as former mayoral candidate Nekima Levy Armstrong, and Timothy J. Keane. Smart Growth has been joined in the lawsuit by the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Citizens for the Protection of Migratory Birds. No other environmental groups are part of the lawsuit, although one headed by former Council Member Diane Hofstede, the Great River Coalition, is listed o...