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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 /> back to the Planning Commission. Gaffron stated at any point in the future the City may reguide the <br /> property,but noted that since 1980 the City has had opportunities to change it but it was not changed. <br /> Landgraver stated in his view the Planning Commission is going down a dangerous path and that once it <br /> is guided in one direction,to say that the City can go back and reguide it later might be opening up a can <br /> of worms. Landgraver stated in his view there is a practical consequence that will occur if this area is <br /> reguided. <br /> Gaffron stated once the property is developed,it would be very difficult to change it to one acre zoning <br /> from two acre development. <br /> Lemke asked what the implications are of passing the amendment and whether that means it has to be <br /> developed. <br /> Gaffron stated a golf course is a conditional use in a residential zone. Gaffron asked whether it could be <br /> left as a golf course even if it is guided residential. <br /> Grittman stated in his view the City could do that and that he does not feel there is a conflict if the City <br /> zones it that way. Grittman stated the developer's right is vested typically at the time of preliminary plat <br /> approval and that a Comprehensive Plan change does not mean that the City is done with the property. <br /> Once the developer obtains preliminary plat approval,at that point they would have a property right in a <br /> development of some sort. <br /> Leskinen stated if the Planning Commission were to go ahead with the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, <br /> there are still some possibilities for alternatives. Leskinen stated she does take it to heart that the <br /> residents are challenging the City to come up with something,but that there is only so much the City can <br /> do. Leskinen stated if the Comprehensive Plan Amendment would still allow that possibility to exist, she <br /> would be okay with it. <br /> Grittman stated if the Council approves the Comprehensive Plan change on November 12, it would still <br /> have to go through Metropolitan Council review before it becomes a final change, and even that does not <br /> foreclose the City from taking different actions. If the applicants are seeking a modified plat design <br /> through a PRD,the City still has a lot of flexibility even within the development scenario to negotiate <br /> some other design opportunities. <br /> Landgraver stated in his view it is great that so many citizens have come out to participate in this process <br /> and that he would like to thank the Wenkstern family for being great citizens but that it does not seem fair <br /> to ask them to delay selling their land in the hope that something else might happen. <br /> Schwingler stated he is in agreement with Commissioner Landgraver. As landowners in Orono, a person <br /> has certain rights. Schwingler stated part of the process is hearing what the citizens have to say but at the <br /> same time the Planning Commission has to consider other issues. Schwingler noted the Planning <br /> Commission is a recommending body and not the final say,but there are other issues that need to be <br /> addressed to keep it moving forward in fairness to the landowner. <br /> Thiesse asked whether Three Rivers Park District or Hennepin County knows that this land is available. <br /> Gaffron indicated he does not know the answer to that. <br /> Page 36 of 42 <br />