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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 16, 1996 <br />( #15 - #2143 Orono Hockey Boosters - Continued) <br />Schroeder asked Mabusth to enlighten the applicant to what the City will be looking at. <br />Mabusth said a memo has been written informing the applicant on what the City looks at <br />citing examples of height and other variances, the need for the parking lot to be moved out <br />of the street setback, site constraints, as well as performance standards that all applicants <br />are obliged to follow, which are included in Exhibit L. Mabusth said, although there are <br />no designated wetlands on the site, there are 2 wetland basins, and this becomes of issue <br />noting the parking lot is located within one of the basins. The wetlands are classified as <br />"unintentional" as they were created over the years by land alterations on the school <br />property. Mabusth said if the applicant complies with certain standards of the Corp of <br />Engineers and MCWD, there may not be any need to mitigate on the site. <br />Mabusth said the key problem is getting sewer approved for the property. The permit is <br />before the Met Council for their approval. It is Staff and Planning Commission's job to <br />inform applicant of code requirements and potential for variance during this planning <br />process. <br />Lindquist said he was interested in what the neighbors had to say on the subject noting the <br />importance in listening to their concerns. The upcoming meeting will aid in answering this <br />interest. Engebretson said the Boosters are also interested in the neighbors' concerns. It <br />is their intent to identify and keep track of each piece of the process and to make sure all <br />parties are aware of and kept up with the process. Engrebretson said the agreement and <br />assistance of all is necessary for this project to be successful. <br />Lindquist said he is supportive of the project and felt the height and parking issues could <br />be resolved. His main concerns are with the sewering and the neighbors' viewpoints. <br />Schroeder agreed with Lindquist. He wanted to make sure the project is not a financial <br />burden noting it to be the largest building in Orono. Engebretson noted the size of the <br />school building and the reason why it was placed near the building. Schroeder said the <br />lease would be up to the Council and the School Board to deal with. <br />Mabusth asked Engebretson to elaborate on the Orono Hockey Association group. <br />Engrebretson said the group is made up of parents and guardians of children who skate. <br />The Orono Boosters, Inc., is a non -profit organization made up of those members. The <br />Orono Sports Facilities, Inc., is made up of the youth program, which promotes the <br />project. <br />Mabusth reiterated that the rink would be used 6 months out of the year. Engebretson <br />said that was the initial projection. If it becomes possible to run the arena year round, this <br />might be done, but the association wished to make a conservative prediction. Mabusth <br />said the hours of operation should be included in the application. <br />26 <br />