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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 8, 2010 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 10 of 20 (6. #10-3442 THE EMILY PROGRAM, 2180 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) Danielson noted the French Creek neighborhood lies 300 feet to the west of the property, which is fairly close. Seventeen homeowners live in her neighborhood and only one resident was notified of this request by the applicant. There are 255 potential people in the surrounding area to this facility, which includes the 48 homes closest to the Hill School property. This area also includes the Crystal Bay Post Office, a public playground, a basketball court and a grassy play area. The neighborhood area to the east contains 15 additional homes, which also includes a portion of the Dakota Trail and rest stop. The area to the southeast also includes a portion of the Dakota Trail and has an additional eight homes. There are approximately 88 homes within close proximity of the Hill School property and yet only 15 residents were notified, which leaves a significant number of residents that were not notified. Danielson stated in her view this is not a representative hearing given the lack of notice given to a large majority of the residents in the surrounding area. White stated the City is only required by state law to notify property owners within 350 feet of a property that has submitted an application and that the list is provided by Hennepin County. Danielson asked where the sign has been posted on the Hill School property regarding this application and that they are only hearing about this through an e-mail that has been forwarded on a number of times. McMillan noted there should have been a sign posted. Danielson stated the person who initiated the e-mail does not live in the immediate adjoining area. Turner stated they were probably notified because their name is connected with the common area. Bremer indicated the City obtained the names of the property owners from Hennepin County. Danielson stated they do not have a problem with the Emily Program but that she does have a problem with the City of Orono. Six other communities within the state of Minnesota house The Emily Program and those facilities are located within mixed use districts. Miller stated the Chaska location is in a townhome development and it has been in that location for the past five years. Danielson stated she put together a list of The Emily Program’s other locations and the businesses that are within a block or two of them. This neighborhood is exclusively residential, which would be an exception to that. Danielson asked what other alternatives there are for this property and why a quiet residential neighborhood is being forced to accept a 24/7 medical facility. Danielson concurred there will be less traffic with this use than The Hill School, but the people working for The Emily Program will be working around the clock. There will be lights, noise, traffic, and people who do not reside in the neighborhood driving in and out of the neighborhood at all hours of the day and night. Danielson asked what kind of safeguards there will be to guarantee that this property does not turn into a detention for delinquent teens or a center for sex offenders. The new tenant may not be as easy to accept at this site as The Emily Program. Danielson urged the City Council to protect the neighborhood and find Item #02 - CC Agenda - 02/22/2010 Approval of Council Minutes 02/08/2010 [Page 10 of 20]