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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,October 21,2013 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Leskinen stated at this time she would open the public hearing. Leskinen requested each resident limit <br /> their comments to two minutes or less and that the audience should refrain from applause or other noise <br /> and otherwise be respectful of the person who has the floor. Leskinen requested each speaker state their <br /> name and address for the record and to also attempt not to repeat the same comments that have already <br /> been expressed. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 9:38 p.m. <br /> Donna Hager, 4580 West Branch Road stated tonight is the first time she and her neighbor have heard of <br /> a double lane road doing between their two homes and that they would object to that. <br /> Hager indicated her property, as well as the Eastman property, in the spring and throughout the summer, <br /> whenever there is a torrential rain,there are literal lakes in the front yard. Hager stated she has already <br /> been told that area is unbuildable for a road by Mike Gehr who said it was not feasible to put a road <br /> through there because of the water table and standing water,which eventually drains into Lake <br /> Minnetonka and Forest Lake. Hager commented it takes a long time to drain that area. Hager stated in <br /> her view it is not a good place for a road and that she objects to it being right next to her property where <br /> she has lived for over 50 years. <br /> Hager stated she has a vested interest in the neighborhood and in the idea of open space, which is very <br /> vital to the Orono community and the reason why they chose to live there. This would be open space for <br /> generations to come and that she wonders if this plan is the only plan they can envision for this kind of <br /> space. Hager indicated she is also wondering whether Orono has thought about or looked into the idea of <br /> making it a park with activities year-round since the area would be ideal for that. Hager stated if it is not <br /> kept as a golf course,there are lots of other options that should be considered for the benefit of the whole <br /> community. Hager indicated she does not want to place that burden on the Wenksterns but perhaps <br /> Orono or Hennepin County could purchase it. <br /> Terri Eastman, 4520 West Branch Road, stated her biggest concern is the water runoff in the spring. <br /> Eastman stated when the water drains, it goes down the site and finally makes it through a small culvert <br /> underneath her driveway. In the springtime and following major rains,you can literally hear a waterfall <br /> coming through the woods and approximately a two foot waterfall coming down from the golf course. <br /> Eastman stated there is too much water runoff currently, and if they add a roadway,that would be a <br /> bigger issue. Eastman indicates she is in agreement with Donna Hager that the neighborhood would hate <br /> to see the green space go away. <br /> Bryce Johnson, 580 North Arm Drive, stated there are a number of folks that have a similar opinion as <br /> what he is going to present tonight. Johnson noted last Friday afternoon a petition addressing the <br /> proposal was delivered to Orono City Offices. The petition contains the signatures of over 60 residents <br /> who signed it within a few hours and who represent a large percentage of the neighboring properties. The <br /> petition is meant to be constructive but yet responsive to everyone's ultimate interests. <br /> Johnson stated Lakeview Golf Course is a unique property since it rises above Lake Minnetonka and is <br /> perfectly framed by trees,ponds,wetlands. Johnson stated to those who look at it,it brings a sense of <br /> peace,history, and a fond enjoyment of nature. The property contributes a substantial amount of green <br /> space to the whole western lake area. <br /> Page 30 of 42 <br />