Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 2, 1997 <br /> (#2) OLD BUSINESS <br /> A. DEMOGRAPHICS OF ORONO NOW AND 20 YEARS LATER- <br /> ERICKSON <br /> Erickson reported that the current Orono population is 7600. The anticipated <br /> population for the year 2020 is 8600 with saturation point at 9900. <br /> Wilson asked if he had any information regarding the number of children in the <br /> City. Erickson said he did not have this information but had been given some <br /> figures from the school district. The number of students enrolled in the Orono <br /> School District has increased by 100 from 1994 to 1997, and the number of Orono <br /> students in the Orono School District has increased by 140 from 1994 to 1997. <br /> Wilson questioned whether this pattern will continue. McDermott reported that <br /> he has seen a change in his neighborhood from older residents to families with <br /> children. <br /> Wilson questioned whether there was a growth in the number of children. <br /> Erickson thought families moving into the City have young children. McDermott <br /> noted that homes are not being built for senior housing. Erickson said older <br /> residents will also be selling off their lots. Beal said the lots were generally not <br /> large in size. McDermott said the housing will be determined by the zoning for <br /> sewer as well. <br /> Beal asked about low income housing, noting such housing would have an effect <br /> on the population. Gappa said a study was conducted but the $130,000 threshold <br /> would limit that type of housing in Orono. Gappa said the Council has no intent <br /> on changing the 2 acre density. He did not see any major changes for the future. <br /> B. NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD TAKE FIREWOOD FROM <br /> HIGHWOOD - ERICKSON <br /> Erickson said Doug Jurdy of Maple Plain was willing to clear out some of the <br /> fallen wood in Highwood but questioned whether a truck could gain access or a <br /> permit was required. Welles indicated a truck could not go beyond the parking <br /> lot. Gappa said there was no road. McDermott suggested the use of an ATV. <br /> Gappa said the City has a Bobcat. Wilson said with the number of trees that have <br /> fallen some of it must be removed. Gappa said due to the property being public <br /> land the City may be required to publish for proposals. Gappa informed Welles <br /> that he did not think monitoring the work would be an issue. <br /> Welles cited what he has seen occurring at Wolsfeld Woods, where large fallen <br /> trunks are rolled off to the side and regenerated naturally. <br /> 2 <br />