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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 17, 1989 <br />II ■(»ZONING FILE #1365-SCHNBIDBR CONTIN <br />He intends to keep the exterior of the building as is. In his <br />opinion, he was lessening the intensity of use of the Old Hill <br />School. Mr. Schneider also intended to register the property <br />with the Historic Preservation Society which would forever <br />reguire the building to remain in tact. He agreed that he was <br />seeking an ambitious variance, but he believed the^ building lent <br />itself to the proposed use. He also stated,^ that in his opinion, <br />he would not be appearing before the Planning Commission if the <br />Art Center and citizens were able to finacially support the Old <br />Hill School. He believed it would be in the best interest of the <br />Art Center to concentrate all activities into one building. He <br />said that the size of the building would be more suitable for a <br />duplex, rather than a single family dwelling. He said that he <br />would consider the fact that there was far more square footage <br />than he would require to be his hardship. <br />Mr. Stockman informed the public and Planning Commission <br />that the Art Center of Minnesota was having some significant <br />financial difficulties. He said that the community has not been <br />supporting them as well as they did in the past. One of the <br />solutions to their financial problems is to dispose of excess <br />property. The Art Center cannot afford to support the Old Hill <br />School and consequently, must sell it. If the Art Center does <br />not sell the school to someone who will use it for its current <br />purpose, then it must be used in a non—conforming purpose. He <br />said that any use, other than a single family dwelling, would be <br />non—conforming, and there were no offers from anyone to purchase <br />it for that use. He said that the group headed by Mr. Hillegass <br />would have to obtain a change in zoning to use the building for <br />commercial use. He said if they want to use the building as a <br />school, they would have to go through great deal of trouble with <br />the IRS and State of Minnesota to qualify as a school. <br />, Mr. Jim Hillegass stated that his group has presented the <br />Art Center with an offer to use the Old Hill School as a <br />children's creative and dramatic art center. He said their offer <br />was similar to Mr. Schneider's offer, yet Mr. Schneider's offer <br />was accepted. He believed the reason for this to be that their <br />intended use would compete with the activities of the Art Center. <br />He said his group had no intention of competing with the Art <br />Center. Mr. Hillegass explained his involvement arose due to <br />work that he had done to the Old Hill School 12 years ago. He <br />said the building had been in public service since it was built <br />in 1892. He believed it was one of the few structures of its <br />kind left in Orono and he wanted it to remain in public service <br />as opposed to becoming privat ly owned. <br />Kelley asked the Planning Commission to focus their <br />attention only on the issue of zoning and variances. <br />Ms. Ann Warner asked whether such an application should be <br />treated differently due to the building being in public service <br />for so long.