11-10-2009 Council Work Session Packet

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Orono City Council Committee of the Whole November 10, 2009,6:15 p.m. Orono City Council Chambers study. The city could draw on this group for resources. She noted the Medina City Council unanimously voted for a wind turbine in Medina. • Mayor White stated there is limited staff time available for an environmental commission. At some point, a new City Administrator will need to be part of making decisions regarding staff support and general guidelines for how the commission and membership would function. As a city-supported commission, a staff person would attend all meetings and provide feedback to and from the Council. Another position would not be added to the current staff level. • Kroeger has a list of residents who are interested in participating with an environmental group. • Kroeger has a preconceived idea that an environmental commission would include addressing climate change into the long-term future. 3. Comp Plan Discussion • Council Member McMillan and Mike Gaffron met with Stephen Grittman, a consultant who could work with the city and the Met Council on the Comp Plan update. Mr. Grittman worked with staff several years ago on the industrial park ordinance and is experienced in working with Met Council. He provided a draft outline of a work program, with details of the time, cost and method to proceed to be determined. • Council directed staff to proceed with a program to work with Stephen Grittman of Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. on the Comp Plan update. 4. Tax Forfeit Parcel on Arbor Street • Hennepin County has requested that the City determine the appropriate disposition of two tax- forfeit parcels along Arbor Street. Each parcel is a double lot at 100' x 140'/.32 acres. Market values are listed at$160,000 and $136,000. • Because of the tax values, it would be difficult to do affordable housing on these sites. • Although the former owner, Bjerking, owned both parcels, they can be sold as two separate buildable parcels. The back lot was never assessed for sewer and would have to be assessed if a home were built on the lot. • Hennepin County has several restrictions if the city wants to accept the parcels, including requirements to use the land for parks, wetlands,flood control, trailways, open spaces, streets, rights-of-way or public access. • The city has three options for disposition of the parcels if they are returned to Hennepin County: o sell as one lot o sell as two separate lots o release for sale only to adjacent property owners • Council discussed conceptual house designs and options to use the property for a public purpose. • Mayor White indicated he would contact Hennepin County to discuss the market value. • Barb Peterson, property owner on Arbor Street, indicated the Dakota Rail Trail has been heavily used and insufficient parking has been an issue. Potential areas for trail parking were discussed including a portion of Crystal Bay Park and the Post Office parking lot. Peterson prefers the tax parcels be sold as one lot for one house or used as a city park. 5. Lurton Park Dedication • The city will plan a formal dedication of Lurton Park for next spring in April or May and advise Mr. Lurton that the city is planning a recognition. Donation of the land was Mrs. Lurton's idea and he may want to name the area after her. Staff will review restrictive covenants that were established when the city received the property. Page 2 of 4