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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,February 22, 2010 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (4. #10-3442 THE EMILY PROGRAM,2180 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) <br /> Franchot indicated he is in agreement with the comments of Council Member Bremer. Franchot asked <br /> whether the applicant is in agreement with the 13 draft conditions contained in Staff's report. <br /> Dr. Miller stated he did read one version of the conditions but does not have the final version in front of him. <br /> Dr. Miller indicated he did sit in on the discussions with Staff regarding the conditions. <br /> Franchot stated if The Emily Program changes dramatically or leaves, the City may have a situation on their <br /> hands that they did not expect, which has happened on othe-sites in the City. Franchot noted he does like the <br /> IUP concept but that he is not sure how that would affect this application. Franchot stated in his view the <br /> concerns of the neighborhood can be addressed in a fair way and that it would be good to have the mayor here <br /> as part of the discussion. <br /> McMillan thanked the audience members for attending tonight's meeting and doing as much research as they <br /> have done. McMillan stated in her view residential treatment programs need to work in a community and they <br /> need to be properly situated in a community so the community will embrace it and not feel it is an imposition <br /> on them. <br /> McMillan indicated she does have concerns that a large number of the residents feel this would be an <br /> imposition and that she is very, very cognizant of the residential neighborhood character that the residents <br /> would like to preserve. McMillan commented that residential programs can be a win/win situation when they <br /> are appropriately located and that she does have some real concerns about the location. McMillan stated in <br /> her opinion the Emily Program is a wonderful program. <br /> Acting Mayor Murphy shared his experiences with a treatment program 32 years ago and how fortunate he felt <br /> that there were people willing to help others overcome their problems. Murphy stated when this process <br /> started two weeks ago,he hoped at that time that the residents would become educated on this program and be <br /> able to sort out fact from fiction. Murphy stated in his opinion the residents of Orono are attempting to do that <br /> but that he does not know whether anybody can answer some of the hypothetical questions that have been <br /> raised as part of this process. <br /> Murphy noted he did speak with the fire chief in Orono three times regarding this application and that <br /> following those conversations he firmly believes this structure will comply with every fire code in the state of <br /> Minnesota or it will not be allowed. The fire chief indicated the response time to this location would be less <br /> than three minutes, which is one of the better response times in Hennepin County. Murphy stated in his view <br /> there are answers for many of the issues raised. <br /> Murphy stated in his view the City of Orono does not have much choice but to table this application for the <br /> reasons previouslymentioned and concurred that it is important <br /> to have the mayor in attendance. Murphy <br /> indicated the City of Orono does need additional time to sit down with the applicant and work through many <br /> of these issues and attempt to finalize the list of 13 conditions. <br /> Murphy stated it would not be fair to the applicant to deny the application tonight without further discussion <br /> and that he would like to sit down as a group and try to arrive at some good conclusion. Murphy stated he <br /> personally feels The Emily Program at this location would be a wonderful addition to the community and that <br /> he does not believe the fears expressed by the neighbors will materialize. <br /> Page 17 of 19 ---__.__ <br />