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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />HELD MAY 6, 1991 <br />It was moved by Kelley, seconded by Cohen, that the City of <br />Orono does need a new facility for police, public works, <br />administration and City Hall. ^yes 6, nays 0. <br />Commissioner Schroedei’ asked what the response time would be <br />for the police department in case of an emergency if they were to <br />be located on Highway 12. <br />Mr. Boarman noted that the police department is definitely <br />not waiting at the police station for calls to come in to respond <br />to. The cars are out in the community, moving through assigned <br />patrols and the radio dispatch at the facility will then inform <br />the car or backup in the appropriate area of an incident. <br />Mr. Bernhardson noted that the police department currently <br />is in the northern portion of the City and has been there since <br />the early 1980s with no problem with location. The police <br />department has now gone with differential shift times to ensure <br />coverage of all areas at all times. Also, when an officer is in <br />transport to the Hennepin County facility, another car will cover <br />the area. <br />Commissioner Bellows questioned the need for future fire <br />stations for protection. What are the long-term needs for a new <br />station? <br />City Administrator Bernhardson explained the districts. He <br />also noted that provisions have been made in the comprehensive <br />plan of the City for a fire station to be built in the Navarre <br />area as the area has a high density, thus a higher probability <br />for fires and the response time is faster in a higher density <br />area for a volunteer department. The only station expansion <br />discussions have been for the Navarre area. He explained that <br />the City has adopted Appendix E which requires sprinkler systems <br />for all public and non-public buildings of a certain size no <br />matter if it is in a hydranted area or not. <br />Commissioner Bellows asked if any of the sites being <br />discussed a potential for a fire station site? <br />Chairman Kelly noted that the only area of possible <br />consideration would be Site #5. <br />Commissioner Johnson felt that variances should not be <br />granted for a new facility. He felt that the issue really came <br />down to two sites, this one and the Highway 12 site and given the <br />fact that the City Hall is a building that should last 50 years, <br />he felt that a complete facility could be shoehorned on this <br />site, but for how long will it be effective and how soon is the <br />need for expansion going to be? He indicated his preference <br />would be the Highway 12 site. <br />A