11-04-2019 Park Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday,November 4,2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. Johnson noted they have not had a realtor out to give them a price for what their property would be worth once the view is obstructed. Johnson commented it appears the building will be higher than what is being portrayed and in her view the park is wonderful the way it is,and she would like to keep it that way. Jane Davidson, 1020 Old Long Lake Road, stated they have one of the best views of the park, and when she walks out to her dock, she is almost at the park. The park is crowded. While it does not have a playground, people swim,paddleboard,and fish. It is a very quiet park. At 10:00 at night the police come by and clear people out. Summit Beach is very different from the Nelson Lakeside Park that has a large playground. Summit Beach is just very unique because it is so natural. Davidson stated she likes the idea of having a natural playground,which is likely the new wave of parks. She can also see the benefit of a small pavilion and some improved picnic tables,which would enhance the park, but that she is very concerned about this extremely large building and private use of a public park at the exclusion of others. Davidson commented she is also concerned about the environmental impact of this proposal. Currently Long Lake is under siege environmentally because it has far too many pollutants,with one of the main pollutants being runoff. It does not appear that the rowing club has considered the environmental impact of their proposal and that the City needs to consider the hardcover with the expanded parking lot and how that will impact the lake. The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District said there could not be walking paths in some of those areas due to the environmental impact. The Long Lake Rowing Club does not represent the entire community but is one component on a small lake. The lake has ski boats,pontoon boats, fishing boats, paddleboards, and the Long Lake Rowing Club. Davidson stated she cannot imagine a club constructing a 9,000 square foot building and not try to expand. It is currently difficult to access the lake when the club is there, and when she was out on the lake one time, an oar just narrowly missed hitting her in the head. Davidson stated in her view the plan is not appropriate. In addition,the proposed building does not look like a multi-functional building. It has storage and a workroom for fixing boats, an office space for the Long Lake Rowing Club,and a conference room. Davidson questioned how this could be a public building. Meyers asked if it would be appropriate for the rowing club to respond to some of the questions raised. Edwards noted the Park Commission is an advisory board and that they can ask for additional comment from the applicant. Meyers noted the City Council is the final arbiter of this and that the Park Commission attempts to listen to all sides. Orono takes environmental concerns very seriously and is a very lake-oriented city. Rob Burrell,president of the Long Lake Rowing Club,noted this is a very preliminary plan and kind of high-level at this point. In terms of expanding the club, it is not their intent to expand the club, but they are looking for a permanent home to store their equipment and boats. Being at Birches is not ideal since their equipment gets beat up being stored outside and it is not their intent to have more boats on the water but merely to house their equipment. With the club's expanded hours,they do not have time to put more people and boats on the water. The coaches can only handle so many boats on the water and they are limited to two safety boats. Page 6 of 15