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Lake Minnetonka's charms drew early crowds of visitors and summer residents <br />whose settlements and lifestyles have left a lasting effect on present-day Orono. The <br />lake first attracted scattered settlers and farmers who benefitted from a rural lifestyle <br />within a day's journey of the City markets. Later, rail lines promoted resort hotels <br />and recreational uses of the cool water. Summer cottages were built and crossroads <br />towns developed. These cottages were converted to year-round homes in the 1940's <br />and 50's, becoming the core of Orono's existing urban neighborhood. Remodeling <br />and replacement of these modest lake residences with larger and more contemporary <br />homes has continued at a steady pace through the I980's and 90's. <br />Away from Lake Minnetonka, the rolling countryside is dotted with other lakes and <br />wetlands, creeks, woods and steep hillsides. This is the country that fostered dairy <br />ind truck farms, orchards, and woodlots without the lakeshore amenities. These <br />areas of Orono have remained rural in character with low-density residential and <br />quasi-agricultural land uses gradually overtaking the remaining farms. Public <br />services and and facilities are limited, and the residents intended to keep them that <br />way. Here, there is opportunity to run a horse or two. to watch for deer and <br />waterfowl in their natural habitat, to have a secluded homestead; these amenities <br />attract a type of resident whose desires are far different than those attracted to the <br />more crowded lakeshore. <br />Thus >ve see that Orono has hvo distinct personalities: The urbanized lakeshore <br />and the rural woods, fields and open spaces. Both areas are primarily residential <br />in nature, relying upon the existing town center of Navarre and other nearby cities <br />such as Long Lake and Spring Park for shopping, commercial and industrial <br />activi ies. <br />The concern of the residents is to provide for continuing maintenance and <br />preservation of those natural resources and social amenities which attracted <br />people to Orono in the first place. Near the lake, density of development has to be <br />regulated in order to minimize the resultant stormwater runoff pollution which, if <br />unrestric ted, could permanently alter and destroy the ecology of this very unique <br />resource; <br />Away fre.n the lake, the natural marshes and wetlands are to be protected as the <br />primary and most practical method of storm water filtration and enhancement. Steep <br />slopes will be protected from over-development and erosion. Woodlands will be <br />preserved as wildlife habitat, erosion protection, noise barriers and places for <br />personal solitude and contentment. Orono's primary goal of preserving the water <br />quality and level of Lake Minnetonka can only be accomplished by maintaining the <br />basic integr ty of the natural w atershed.