Mediation ends Keillor's feud with neighbor

David Brewster, Star Tribune

From the alley, Keillor’s house is on the left. At right is Anderson’s house, with some of the construction visible.

Terms of a settlement over his next-door neighbor's plan to add a two-story garage and studio have not been disclosed.

By ANTHONY LONETREE, Star Tribune

Last update: January 23, 2008 - 1:04 AM

Garrison Keillor has settled his dispute with a next-door neighbor over the neighbor's plan to add a garage/studio behind her St. Paul house.

What the structure might now look like, however, was unclear Tuesday.

The neighbors went into mediation after Keillor and his wife, Jenny Lind Nilsson, filed suit last week to stop Lori Anderson from building a two-story addition behind her house The addition was to include a three-stall garage and studio.

The parties negotiated the settlement Monday during a mediation session with former Minnesota Supreme Court justice Edward Stringer.

A hearing that was to be held today has been canceled, and the Keillor-Nilsson lawsuit is to be dismissed, said Josh Knudsen, a clerk for Ramsey County District Judge Edward Cleary, who had urged the parties last week to mediate the dispute.

By judge's order, terms of the settlement were not to be disclosed, said Paul Olson, Anderson's fiance.

Keillor also would have no comment, spokesman David O'Neill said.

Last week's lawsuit claimed the garage/studio in the 400 block of Portland Avenue would "obstruct the access of light and air to the Nilsson-Keillor property" and "impair or destroy protected historical resources" in the Ramsey Hill neighborhood.

The city also was named a defendant.

City Attorney John Choi said he did not know details of the settlement but said any agreement about a redesign of the garage/studio must be reviewed by city staff and/or the Heritage Preservation Commission.

Asked whether Anderson would be coming forward with new building plans, Olson, her fiancé, held firm to the confidentiality order: "I can't comment."

Anthony Lonetree • 651-298-1545

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