So You Want to Fight? Developer Threatens to Sue City, Residents Fire Back

In an stunning escalation into outright hostility by developer Audrius Asakenas against the City of Shorewood, a lawyer for Mr. Asakenas threatened to sue the City of Shorewood over the City Council's decision to require an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for Asakenas' Watten Ponds development. An EAW is a short worksheet that gathers facts to determine if a project has potential for significant environmental effects, informs the public, and helps identify ways to protect the environment. The EAW was initiated by a petition signed by almost 400 people. Seems reasonable, right? The City Council thought so - because of the highly unique character of the Watten Ponds area and its impact on Lake Minnetonka, the City Council voted 4-1 to require an EAW.

Mr. Asakenas, apparently very keen on avoiding environmental review, threatened to sue to overturn the City Council's decision. Not to be intimidated, a group of local residents fired back and stood up for the thorough work of the City Council and City Attorney. It's up to the City Council now. Do they stand by their decision or will they run at the threat of a fight?

Reach out to the City Council and urge them to stand firm and not to be bullied by a rich developer and his expensive lawyers! Here's how to reach the City Council.

Read Residents' response here.

Read the letter from Asakenas' lawyer here.

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Read about the unique environment of Watten Ponds.

Learn more about the Watten Ponds development.