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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING•HELD APRIL 8, 1991 <br />( #11)PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS CONTINUED <br />Goetten asked McMillan how long he has resided in Orono. <br />McMillan responded that he has lived in Orono since 1988. <br />McMillan asked for the opportunity to make a statement <br />regarding his position on the various issues now before the City. <br />He started by stating that his greatest attribute is the fact <br />that he cares, and that it is better to be part of a solution <br />than to be ignorant. He said, "I am only a week and half <br />familiar with the Comprehensive Plan, and I think the Plan speaks <br />for itself. I believe you change your perspective on various <br />sections of the Plan - -it changes color the more you read it and <br />appreciate it. I have followed the Highway 12 Corridor process <br />closely and I agree with the Planning Commission's <br />recommendation. The other corridor alternatives are not <br />acceptable to me, and I realize that something must be done. I <br />do not believe that the political reality will allow Highway 55 <br />to be the selected corridor, and therefore, it comes back to the <br />existing corridor through Long Lake. I do not know what it will <br />take to unlock the disagreements between Long Lake and Orono. I <br />do believe that establishing trust provides the framework to do <br />so. With regard to long -term street and transportation planning, <br />I 'can speak to the first part of that because I live on Lyman <br />Avenue. Lyman Avenue is a problem for a lot of people, and I <br />,.could like to see it upgraded, but only to the minimum width <br />required. In response :o the lake use and management issue, I <br />would say that the lake has changed significantly. I grew up on <br />Lake Minnetonka and have since decided that I would not like to <br />live on the lake due to the use and politics involved. I do care <br />about the lake, however. With respect to the Planning Commission <br />roles, I would say that there seems to be quite a bit of <br />duplication in what the Planning Commission and Council do. I do <br />not know how much of that is necessary as part of a check and <br />balances system, but it seems that the process could be <br />streamlined, and I would like to participate in that. As a last <br />note on issues,' we definitely need a new City facility. <br />A friend of mine asked me why I would consider serving as a <br />Planning Commission member when I will not be paid to do so. I <br />explained to him that I care about the City in which I live, and <br />-the importance of becoming involved. I would much rather be part <br />of the process, than to sit back and criticize the actions taken <br />by our elected officials." <br />Mayor. Peterson thanked Mr. McMillan for his interest, and <br />asked Ed Cohen to come forward. <br />Cohen stated that he has enjoyed serving on the Planning <br />Commission and has learn-ad quite a bit since he was first <br />appointed. He stressed the importance of upholding the City's <br />Ordinances. He said, "I can say that .I have taken a consistent <br />-- 14 - <br />