08-26-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 9t> 12:17 FAX 612 725 3527 F«S ENGINEERING ©nui August 18,1996 Orono City Counci) and Orono Planning Commission P.O. Box 66 Crystal Bay, NIN 55323 Dear Council and Commission Members; It has come to my attention that you soon be voting on the church property re>zoning in Navarre. While I endorse re-zoning it for commercial use I do not endorse the type of development that is proposed John O'Sullivan has gone to great lengths in obtaining signatures for the re-zoning I believe many people were prepared to sign it, considering the disgraceful condition of the church and former gas station I do understand that the new gas station is not part of the parcel. The church propcrt> which is zoned rcsideniialJy, is not what I consider to be a desirable area for residential development, due to the heavy load of traflSc on County Roads 15 and 19. The high volume of traffic does, however, make it suitable fur cummercial development or as a community park. The primary reason for writing this letter is to offer critical evaluation of the style and layout of the proposed "O'Sullivan development." The area under consideration for this development is "downtown" Orono, and it should resemble a downtown, rather than the Bloomington strip along Highway 494. This is the largest development in Navarre in the last 15 years, and it would be an opportune time to start to correct the many mistakes of the past — one of which was the re-paxing project of County Road 19, wliicli left a "sea” of pavement in front of the stores on both sides of the street Most other communities have taken great interest in improving their downtowns with trees, planters, and benches. Navarre has nothing but concrete and asphalt. The proposed project, as depicted, again places a large parking lot in ft out of the proposed buildings, representative of a strip mall but not a downtown The buildings should be placed adjacent to the road with some trees and landscaping to soften the facade, and not shoved to the back of the property with an acre of asphalt in front of it Parking could be made available at the rear of or in small lots between the stores. Please remember that this is a downtown area which should look as attractive and inviting as W^ayzata and Excelsior. The value of residential real estate has risen in Excelsior, because of its smalJ-town atmosphere Suburban communities such as Apple Valley, are also trying to create an inviting, pleasant dowiitown atmosphere. We in Navarre, already have the start of a downtown on the north side with its hardware store and surrounding businesses. It would take very little to improve and enhance this side. Wliy not add a development to the area tiuii is complementary rather than unappealing like the current Rick's parking lot. This is our chance to set some standards; to start to make a difference and reinforce a sense of community.