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 availability of sewer, convenient location and accessibility, a large site for this use, and the location being on a major road so as not to require any access through a residential area. The shelter will have to meet certain limits and criteria which have not yet been determined. A public hearing will also be required. The Planning Commission will need to ask the Council to direct them to make a zoning amendment. Standards for the shelter would then be made. Exhibits G -H list the permitted uses in residential and commercial areas. Schroeder reported that a conditional -use permit would be the vehicle for the shelter if it is done. Gaffron has looked at other cities and their zoning laws. Most cities do not have codes allowing for a shelter until a shelter is established. ( #5) PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Phyllis O'Malley of Kelly Avenue addressed the safety issue. She voiced concern over the lack of a fence for the area and more traffic being brought into the area because of the closure of Old Beach Road. Hessburg answered that the site is two acres. A large fenced -in area will be created for children. Schroeder added that performance standards would be made in regard to the safety of children. Jackie Meyer of Mound said she was a friend of Westonka Intervention and has visited five shelters in Minnesota, Harriet Tubman, Plymouth shelter, Sojourner in Minnetonka, and two in St. Paul. Only one of these shelters had a vacancy. She also noted that the shelters were not fenced around but had fenced in areas. There were strict code and an • intercom and a security system in place. Children were not allowed to go in and out and