02-23-2010 Council Work Session Mintues

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Orono City Council Committee of the Whole February 23, 2010,6:30 p.m. Orono City Council Chambers • Gaffron stated the city participates in the plat monitoring program and submits an annual report of approved plats and density. If the city is only finishing out development of rural areas, Met Council may respond with "you're not doing what you should be". • Grittman commented that Minnetrista has been reprimanded for denying development that would have met some density requirements, but Minnetrista had other reasons for denial. • Grittman considers approving projects that don't meet the Comp Plan to be a bigger problem than denying projects because they don't meet zoning standards. • Bremer noted that since the city doesn't own property designated for mixed use there will be a number of variables as to how it will be developed. • While the city doesn't have any developers pushing for high density development, the city must guide areas for higher density. When the Comp Plan is presented to the public, the Shadywood Road residents may object to high density all along Shadywood. Most of the proposed areas for higher density can be justified; the Snyder's site may be questionable. • McMillan stated it is important to explain to the public the density requirements that Met Council is placing on the city. • Bremer noted a mixed use classification will be new for residents as currently the city doesn't have any mixed use designations. • Sewer would need to be extended to the Eisinger property in the Hwy 12 area (Dumas/James/Eisinger site), which is a logical area for higher density development. Other areas along Highway 12 that might be acceptable for mixed use have not been identified. • Council is in favor of the areas proposed for higher density development along Highway 12. Council questioned if these areas were developed at higher density if the Met Council would be more amenable to development in the 3-5 acre areas. This will be discussed at the meeting with Met Council. • Gaffron stated that the work Grittman has completed to-date is approaching the approved $10,000 consulting fee. Council authorized additional hours for Grittman to continue work on the Comp Plan. • Terry Schneider, representative of the Klinglehutz site next to the Baywinds Church, commented that he is working on a plan for a memory care facility but can't make an application for the second phase until the Comp Plan update is complete. He would like the project to count towards higher density. • Gaffron stated a meeting is scheduled with Met Council for next week. The plan is to schedule a public hearing in mid to late March. 4. Golf Event 7/5/10 • Olson explained that the Golf Course Manager received a request to rent the golf course for the 2010 Patch Adams Golf Cart "Drive for Life" fundraiser on the afternoon of July 5`h. The golf course would be open to the public in the morning, which is normally the busiest period of the day, and closed to the public for the afternoon. He anticipates collecting a rental fee of$1465. • Council was in favor of approving the request, conditioned upon confirmation of the $1500 rental fee. 5. Police Matters • Labor Negotiations—Council discussed the mediation meeting held on February 11 and the response to be provided to the mediator. • Police Service Contract—Council reviewed and approved a response letter to be sent to Long Lake. 6. Website Update • Council approved the request to include social media sites such as Facebook,Twitter and Flickr as staff continues to develop the new website. • McMillan encouraged staff to continue to use the IT Committee as a resource to share ideas and review IT issues. Page 2 of 3