08-20-2001 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background - Lee Carlson Fields and School Property- In 1994 the Orono Baseball Association (OBA) constructed the two existing baseball fields on the property. No Conditional Use Permit was required for the west '/s of the property. The City of Orono has leased the west ‘A of the property from the Orono School District. The City has then leased the property to OB.A. It was the opinion of the City Attorney that as long as the City was leasing the property from the School for a period greater than ten years that the baseball fields would be considered a permitted City park use. The lease betw een the School District and City of Orono was entered into on April 15, 1994 for a period of 19 years and 11 months, terminating on March 15, 2014. A copy of the land area that is leased to the City, and from the City to the Baseball Association is attached as Exhibit H. The Code permits any municipal use in the zoning district. The east lA of the property is the proposed location of the new baseball/soccer field. Since the City does not have a lease for this portion of the property and it is owned entirely by the School District a Conditional Use Permit is required for the construction. Schools and their associated facilities require a CUP or CUP Amendment when such facilities are proposed. As a condition of approval of the new Orono Middle School all the properties located east of Old Crystal Bay Road have been combined into one parcel. The parcel includes the baseball fields and Middle School. In 1999 the CUP for Middle School construction was approved and the school opened the fall of 2000. Site Lavout The access road w ill be an extension of the existing access from Old Cr> stal Bay Road. The road will lead to a 48 stall parking area west ot the ball field. In addition, the parking area will include a turnaround with a 65' radius. The 65' radius is 15' narrower than a tvpical cul-de-sac width. The City Engineer and Fire Marshall shall approve the final design and dimension of the turn around. The turnaround area is necessary for traffic flow, safety and to provide a suitable drop offsite for the fields. Pedestrian access w ill include a sidewalk that would be located adjacent to the new parking area and provide access to a future trail extension along County Road 6. Staff has requested Hennepin County to comment on the trail plan since it is adjacent to the County right-of-way. The trail connection would not be constructed by the Orono Baseball Association due to lack of funds. The City of Orono would not require construction with the CUP. We can only require park dedication or trail construction when property is being platted and new building sites are created. The Park Commission reviewed the request at their meeting on August 6. 2001. They commented they are supportive of a set aside of land that could be used for a trail cormection in the future. The land could be designated for trail use by granting of an easement along the proposed trail corridor. The trail corridor would be determined following concept approval of the site plan and trail easement would be granted by the School District to the public. iOl-2703 Orono Baseball Association 1030 Old Crystal Bay Road 8/20/01 Page 2 of 5 j