The city of Proctor is again eyeing land in neighboring Midway Township for annexation.
George Hovland III and his sister, Julie Savalas, have petitioned to have 92 acres of land they own southwest of Proctor incorporated into the city.
Meanwhile, Midway Township is preparing to mount a defense with still-fresh memories of warding off Proctor’s attempt to swallow it entirely earlier this spring.
“We thought we were done with these annexation attempts after an expensive and protracted legal battle that Proctor lost. But Proctor doesn’t go away,” said Ken Butler, an attorney representing Midway Township.
Proctor Mayor David Brenna pointed out that Proctor didn’t go knocking on Hovland’s and Savalas’ door. Rather, he said, “they came to us.”
Hovland declined to comment on prospective development plans for the property, deferring to his sister, who resides in Georgia. He agreed to forward a message to her, but Savalas, wife of the late Telly Savalas, an actor perhaps best known for this television role as Kojak, did not respond.
Brenna said it’s his understanding that Hovland and Savalas are interested in putting up a high-end housing development.
“It would increase our tax base and bring more people into our city,” Brenna said, explaining why annexing the property was of interest to Proctor.
The property abuts a 67-acre parcel owned by Seth Oliver that Proctor annexed in 2013, despite Midway Township’s legal objections.
Brenna sees no reason why Proctor shouldn’t prevail in its efforts to annex the Hovland-Savalas property as well.
“It seems pretty cut and dry to me,” he said.
But Butler noted that the legal landscape has changed, thanks to an orderly annexation agreement recently struck between Midway Township and the city of Duluth. That agreement should allow for Duluth to annex land it already owns in the southern portion of Midway Township, but it also opens the door for the city to annex additional township property to the north in the future, if supported by township representatives.
Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson said the city does not yet consider land located along the Interstate 35 corridor ripe for annexation, but if and when development pressure warrants action, the property should become part of Duluth rather than Proctor.
Brenna contends the agreement between Duluth and Midway doesn’t address the imminent desire for development. He called the orderly annexation agreement “a pipe dream,” and said only Proctor had demonstrated the willingness to take action.
“This should force Duluth to step to the plate or back down,” he said.
The city of Duluth was a party to Midway’s earlier efforts to fend off Proctor’s recent attempt to annex the township in full.
“It’s a little surprising that Proctor is taking this step in light of the recent decision by the administrative law judge and considering all the time, energy and money expended by all three parties involved,” Johnson said.
Earl Elde, chairman of the Midway Township Board of Supervisors, said it cost about $135,000 to fight off what he called Proctor’s “hostile annexation” attempt. Yet he maintains that residents of the rural township remain solidly committed to defending their autonomy, regardless of the cost.
Johnson expressed disappointment that Proctor had not reached out to either Duluth or Midway Township in advance of proceeding with the annexation request. He said future development in the area should be planned for the mutual benefit of both cities and Midway Township residents.
“There are ways to cooperate and solve problems creatively, but so far we have not been approached,” Johnson said. “We need to work together, and this isn’t the way you build a good working relationship.”
Brenna said the city of Duluth doesn’t consult with Proctor before proceeding with its own business and quipped: “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
The Hovland-Savalas property was in the news several years ago when it was proposed as a site for a Spirit Mountain golf course. But those plans fizzled.
A hearing to consider the latest annexation request is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Aug. 4 in Proctor City Council Chambers at the Proctor Area Community Center, 100 Pionk Drive.
