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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 22, 2010 7:00 o’clock p.m. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 19 (4. #10-3442 THE EMILY PROGRAM, 2180 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) neighborhood meeting to explain who we are. The residents were invited to tour the facilities. The Emily Program is also willing to bring clients to the meeting if the City Council would deem that appropriate. Dr. Miller stated they are running a transparent operation and are not attempting to hide anything. Dr. Miller commented that he feels there is a silent majority in this community that is supportive of this program, and that he would encourage the City Council to be supportive of this program as well. Dr. Miller stated he believes The Emily Program can hold up their end of the bargain and that this location will be a wonderful spot. As it relates to property valuations, at their site in St. Anthony Park, there were two properties directly adjacent to that facility that had been on the market and sold within a week. The two properties located across the street from the Hill School have been on the market for three months and have not sold. Dr. Miller stated if there are property valuation problems in this neighborhood, they are not the responsibility of The Emily Program and that they will properly maintain their facility. Dr. Miller stated he will attempt to address any issues that come up tonight. Acting Mayor Murphy asked whether any of the residents have visited one of the Emily Program facilities. Murphy noted that two residents out of approximately 40 members of the audience have. Acting Mayor Murphy opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. Michael LaQuey, P.O. Box 94, Crystal Bay, noted he worked at the Mayo Clinic for six years, not in the capacity of an administrator or as a provider, but commented that when you work at a medical facility, you do pick up some general knowledge of hospitals and clinics. LaQuey stated in his opinion there will be medical waste generated at this facility. LaQuey stated issue number two relates to additional safety considerations. LaQuey requested the opportunity to see a detailed construction material schedule, with prior permits validated against that schedule. LaQuey indicated he also has some questions about the elevator and that he does not feel it is big enough to fit a gurney with two people. In addition, there is an increased risk of fire because hospitals in general have an increased risk; there is an increased risk of fire because it is a wood structure; and there is an increased risk of fire in the fact that the patients will be doing their own laundry and the fact that there will be a kitchen at this location. LaQuey stated in his opinion there will be increased traffic at this location. If there are two psychologists and one psychiatrist at this facility seeing outpatients at one hour intervals, that will generate 21 outpatient visits a day, which will result in increased traffic under this proposal. LaQuey proposed that the City Council impose a moratorium on any increased traffic in this area of Orono because the roads are inadequate for the current traffic levels. LaQuey stated he has been familiar with this area since 1965 and has observed the traffic patterns in this area. LaQuey stated in his opinion there will not be significant benefit to the community from The Emily Program. The neighbors have asked the applicant what the patient demographics will be. The majority of the patients will be people from outside Orono and from such communities as North and South Minneapolis, Minnetonka Beach, Edina, Plymouth. LaQuey stated he would propose that if the current CUP is not used for a school and if there is no intention for there to be a school at this location, as well as the fact that there are some nonconforming issues with the Item #02 - CC Agenda - 03/08/2010 Approval of Council Minutes 02/22/2010 [Page 5 of 19]