01-20-1998 Planning Commission Minutes

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A. MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 20, 1998 • - (#6 - #2328 Freshwater Foundation Continued) Hawn asked if it is the owner or leasee who obtains the conditional use permit. She said she is uncomfortable with approving an application without an understanding of the tenant's use of the facilities. Hawn said she would consider approval with appropriate signatures sought of designated agencies involved in overseeing the research. Without that information, Hawn felt she would not know what she would be approving. Brown said he thought the CUP was for the owner. Van Zomeren said the CUP is for the use and done for both a tenant or an owner. She said the current CUP allows for research facilities in the building. Van Zomeren said the conditional use can be reviewed and subject to conditions. Smith would like staffs involvement in being satisfied that the steps were in place with the appropriate governmental agencies. Lindquist agreed with Hawn's concerns but supported the conditional use. He feels the research should be reviewed and would be satisfied with it being conducted by staff. Hawn asked what agencies would be scrutinizing the research. Brown said he was not familiar with it noting approvals require alot of paperwork and many levels of screening. • The lease requires the tenant to meet standards of local, state and federal agencies. Brown did not believe the University of Minnesota was required by Orono to have a CUP. Hawn said she was confused in that other research facilities have not been asked for a CUP in the past but a CUP is being requested for this particular use. She asked that more information be provided on which to base a decision. Brown said the CUP has already been granted. He asked staff if the use of the lower level by another research facility would be within the use allowed under the CUP. He felt it was an issue of occupancy. Schroeder referenced Resolution#3561 for the conditional use permit. He did not feel there was any need to obtain approval by the City since research would still be conducted as allowed by the CUP. Van Zomeren said the University of Minnesota did not require City approval but the Freshwater Foundation needs to obtain a CUP. She wanted assurance that what is being conducted within the building by a corporation is consistent with the CUP previously approved. She noted the use is similar but being conducted by a corporation rather than the University. • to