11-25-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 12,2002 7:00 o*clock p.m. 5. #02-2843 PROFESSIONAL PROPERTIES OF ORONO, 2765 KELLEY PARKWAY - Continued GafTron indicated that staff recommended approval per the attached “Resolution Granting General Development Plan Approval for Planned Unit Development No. 3 for Professional Properties of Orono, Inc.”. Whereas the enclosed resolution includes language that allows approval to become effective only when the remaining issues have been resolved and all conditions requiring action, as identified by the Planning Commission, have been satisfied. Murphy inquired as to where the applicants stood with regard to the City ’s recommendations. He asked if they found the path the City was taking to be acceptable. Bob Ritter, of Professional Properties of Orono, reminded the Council that they were eager to get going on the project. He stated that currently three contractors were bidding on the project and each had suggested that the applicants lay hay over the site to prevent it from freezing. Ritter asked if they could add their ability to go in and lay the hay as an addition to the Resolution. White indicated that this was common practice, and if something happened to stop negotiations, the City could require the applicants to remove the hay. Murphy questioned whether there were other issues remaining, beyond the continuing trail issue. He asked what alternatives the City had if MnDOT did not allow the trail to encroach on their r-o- w. Gaffron stated that, to date, MnEKDT had suggested that they were not interested in a trail on their r-o-w. If the City does not require the easement from the applicants, the City may lose the trail option altogether along this stretch. Murphy asked if the diagram showed the best placement. Gaffron noted that, as shown, the trail was quite low, however, if the trail were moved over it would interfere with power poles etc. Gaflron felt that the public would be better served if the trail could run in the MnEKDT r-o-w, but the feasibility of that was yet to be seen. Murphy asked who the City could deal with at MnDOT to further these discussions. Moorse was unsure of the names of the individuals to whom he spoke. Murphy indicated that representatives from the City would be meeting with MnDOT on Friday and could bring in this issue to discuss as well. Moorse maintained that the ideal would be to have Hennepin County reclaim this roadway and turn it back into an urban section, likely to occur in 2007. Since this section would probably be turned into a boulevard with curb and gutter at that time, Moorse felt they could talk to MnDOT. Murphy concurred, suggesting they lay this scenario out for MnDOT and discuss it with their r-o-w representatives. PAGE 5 1