04-09-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD MARCH 26, 1990 LITTLE LEAGUE/BEOERIfOOD PARK CONTINUED Ms. Linda Whitman 3620 Eileen Street, representing the neighborhood group known as Citizens for Park Planning, referred to the documents that had been distributed to Council and staff. Ms. Whitman stated that they have tried to work with the OBA to reach a compromise on this issue. (Refer to the Citizens for Park Planning presentation dated March 26, 1990) Ms. Whitman noted that as of this evening they have raised $3,000 to assist the OBA in developing the school site. Mr. Rolland Berglund stated that he had been on the Park Commission in 1974 when the negotiations were made to buy the property which is now Bederwood Park. Mr. Berglund said u at the Larson family owned the property and refused to sell it due to the impact that the park use would have on the neighborhood. Mr. Berglund said that an agreement to buy the land was finally reached based on a promise that there would be a quiet neighborhood use of the park. Mr. Clem Kroll, 60 South Stubbs Bay Road, has lived near Bederwood Park over 20 years. Mr. Kroll said that there have been significant demographic changes that have occurred to the area. There are many new homes and young families with young children. Mr. Kroll said, There is heavy usage of Bederwood Park for many purposes. The additional use of Bederwood Park and the Luce Line Trail has made parking space more necessary. We see 4- 10 cars parked in the lot from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you add the additional vehicles generated by softball games, the lot is full and parking occurs on the west side of Stubbs Bay Road. This is dangerous because there is a blind spot in that area and there is a lot of traffic on Stubbs Bay Road." Mr. Scott Stein, 3575 Christine Drive, provided the portion of the presentation pertaining to the requirements a regulation Little League baseball field must have. Mr. Stein asked for clarification as to whether the concession building would be two stories or one. He also asked if the field would be used for tournament play. Mr. Stein then provided a comparison of the various sites available for Little League use. It is the recommendation of the Citizens for Park Planning that the Orono School site would be most suitable for this use. Mr. Stein stated that it would cost $6,000.00 more to develop the School property and they have already raised $3,000.00. Mr. Scein noted that they have obtained a firm bid of $6,000.00 and if necessary they will work to raise the additional $3,000.00. Mr. Stein said, "We all want Little League, but we want it in the right part of the City.” Ms. Judy Brown, 355 Stubbs Bay Road, indicated that Bederwood Park should be maintained as a neighborhood park as it is classified. She too was concerned about the safety aspect of - 5 -