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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br />Monday, November 4, 2019 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 5 of 9 <br /> <br />out the window. The view out the front of her house will be the back of the building. When they <br />purchased their house in 2010, they felt it was a charming area and that they are disappointed that this is <br />even being considered. <br /> <br />Johnson noted they have not had a realtor out to give them a price for what their property would be worth <br />once the view is obstructed. Johnson commented it appears the building will be higher than what is being <br />portrayed and in her view the park is wonderful the way it is, and she would like to keep it that way. <br /> <br />Jane Davidson, 1020 Old Long Lake Road, stated they have one of the best views of the park, and when <br />she walks out to her dock, she is almost at the park. The park is crowded. While it does not have a <br />playground, people swim, paddleboard, and fish. It is a very quiet park. At 10:00 at night the police <br />come by and clear people out. Summit Beach is very different from the Nelson Lakeside Park that has a <br />large playground. Summit Beach is just very unique because it is so natural. <br /> <br />Davidson stated she likes the idea of having a natural playground, which is likely the new wave of parks. <br />She can also see the benefit of a small pavilion and some improved picnic tables, which would enhance <br />the park, but that she is very concerned about this extremely large building and private use of a public <br />park at the exclusion of others. <br /> <br />Davidson commented she is also concerned about the environmental impact of this proposal. Currently <br />Long Lake is under siege environmentally because it has far too many pollutants, with one of the main <br />pollutants being runoff. It does not appear that the rowing club has considered the environmental impact <br />of their proposal and that the City needs to consider the hardcover with the expanded parking lot and how <br />that will impact the lake. The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District said there could not be walking paths <br />in some of those areas due to the environmental impact. <br /> <br />The Long Lake Rowing Club does not represent the entire community but is one component on a small <br />lake. The lake has ski boats, pontoon boats, fishing boats, paddleboards, and the Long Lake Rowing <br />Club. Davidson stated she cannot imagine a club constructing a 9,000 square foot building and not try to <br />expand. It is currently difficult to access the lake when the club is there, and when she was out on the <br />lake one time, an oar just narrowly missed hitting her in the head. <br /> <br />Davidson stated in her view the plan is not appropriate. In addition, the proposed building does not look <br />like a multi-functional building. It has storage and a workroom for fixing boats, an office space for the <br />Long Lake Rowing Club, and a conference room. Davidson questioned how this could be a public <br />building. <br /> <br />Meyers asked if it would be appropriate for the rowing club to respond to some of the questions raised. <br /> <br />Edwards noted the Park Commission is an advisory board and that they can ask for additional comment <br />from the applicant. <br /> <br />Meyers noted the City Council is the final arbiter of this and that the Park Commission attempts to listen <br />to all sides. Orono takes environmental concerns very seriously and is a very lake-oriented city. <br /> <br />Rob Burrell, president of the Long Lake Rowing Club, noted this is a very preliminary plan and kind of <br />high-level at this point. In terms of expanding the club, it is not their intent to expand the club, but they <br />are looking for a permanent home to store their equipment and boats. Being at Birches is not ideal since