03-18-2002 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, February 19,2002 6:30 o ’clock p.m. (M2-2755 Long Lake Fire Station, Continued) Ron Miller, 270 Willow Drive, distributed photographs of the area. Miller indicated he is not in favor of the design of the fire station. Miller indicated he has visited a number of fire stations, noting they have not been constructed with more than five bays. Miller stated the three and a half acres to the north will need to be addressed by Mn/DOT, and suggested a road to the north be constructed. Miller noted the site consists of blue clay. He said the MCWD has proposed changes to their wetland buffer requirements which may be adopted on February 28"’. He further noted that neither MCWD nor the DNR would confirm whether the stormwater pond will be considered as wetland. Miller suggested that there are a number of ways to avoid the variance such as moving the building 10’ north or eliminating the 6"* bay. Miller stated in his view a hose tower is not needed. Rahn inquired whether Miller would prefer the height of the tower be limited to 30’. Miller stated yes. Mabusth noted the wetland mitigation would require replacement of the same type of wetland. Jim Dillman, 225 Willow Drive, questioned whether the City of Orono would get wetland credit. GafTron stated that issue has not yet been discussed by the watershed district. Dillman inquired what type of lighting would be installed on the fire station and what type of landscaping would be planted. Dillman stated he would prefer there not be bright lights on dunng the nighttime. Gaffron commented one of the things that w ill help is that the majority of the vrindows are on the east and w est side of the building. Gaffron stated the lighting w ould be a shoebox style and illuninate down rather than out. GafTron stated they are proposing to provide appropriate landscaping. Jabbour indicated the building committee is very sensitive to the lighting to be installed on the new fire station as well as the type of landscaping to be planted. Jabbour stated the landscaping would be appropriate for the area. Jabbour suggested the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the use of this building be restneted to fire fighting activities. Hawn inquired how high the berm is on the south side of the road. Gaffron stated the height of the berm on the south and the north side is relatively small and w ill not really soften the appearance of the building. PAGE 16 1