04-23-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 17,1990 q](______ JutlELiD^lU APR 2 0 1990Dear Mayor, Council Members, City Administration and Park Commission Members: Please permit me a few moments to reflect and to propose recommendations regarding the Bederwood Park decision. I was very frustrated mth the initial process regarding the Park decision. To notify nearb>[ residents of such a decision 48 hours prior to a council vote and after a Park Commission vote is disrespectful. It places any comments or concerns from the neighborhood and community in a reactive/negative vein once the Park Commission/City Administrators have made a recommendation. The opportunity for input must occur prior to the first Park Commission meeting on an issue. The current Zoning and Planning process could be used as a guide. Please consider altering this part of the process. The attempt to include residents later was much appreciated, though I believe our position suffered due to our delayed entry. It appears that the Orono Comprehensive Park Plan needs to be updated. Presently, there is a glaring weakness, which has been revealed by the recent Bederwood decision. It seems that the Comprehensive Plan currently is not even addressed when decisions are made about park use. There is no process for granting variances from the plan once written. Unfortunately, crisis deasions arc then made based on momenta!, need with no formal process to adhere to comprehensive Park Planning. Please consider altering this dencient process. Again, the current Zoning and Planning model would offer some procedural guidelines. At this time Orono does not have a design ,ted community park, although the Comprehensive Park Plan identifies organ ;ed atheletic activities as riquiring such a park. I would urge that you consider initiating a proposal with the school district to develop a community park site. It would not be simply for Little League, but for " ■ ■ ■ ' .. .. ossible solution, though _________________ , . erty located near the school or in other zoned high density/non-residential areas. Please consider this a crisis! ilie integrity of the Comprehensive Park Pl^ is bmlt upon the existence of such a community field site. This need will only going to increase dramatically in the near future. Bederwood is and should continue to be listed as a neighborhood park. I sincerely hope and request that you honor the short-term “temporary status ” of OBA’s use of the field and return Bederwood to its current status and use as a neighborhood park as soon as possible. Thank you for considering these suggestions. I am willing and interested in working with you to resolve any of &ese matters. David H. Ilse 3G30 Eileen Street Maple Plain, MN 55359