03-07-1995 Planning Commission Minutes

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• • • MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD ( #2) REVIEW OF PROPOSED USE - DANIEL HESSBURG, REPRESENTATIVE OF WESTONKA INTERVENTION PROJECT Dan Hessburg, representative of Westonka Intervention Project, gave some background to how the project began. A committee was formed in 1983 in response to community problems in the west suburban area. Domestic abuse was a topic that frequently arose which led to the formation of the project. The Mound, St. Bonifacius, and Minnestrista areas were served until 1985 when the non -profit organization was formed and grant funding was received. The service area expanded in 1988 to include Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Long Lake, and Spring Park. Maple Plain and Independence are now being added. The project has spoken with other cities in the south shore area for future inclusion. They are Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Excelsior, Greenwood, and Wayzata. The project serves about 150 families a month. Of that number, 10 -20% request a safe home. In the last 12 years, Hessburg reported that they have not been able to place anyone in either of the nearest shelters, Sojourner in Minnetonka, and a Plymouth shelter, due to no of space available. The church in Navarre is the second location looked at for a shelter. The first one was near the old Fina station on Three Points Blvd. and 110 in Mound. Our Lady of the Lake Church's convent was available but needed to be taken down or sold by a certain date. The sale was based on receiving permission for the use by the City. There was some public opposition. The project was not able to meet the deadline. z