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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 22, 2010 7:00 o’clock p.m. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 19 (4. #10-3442 THE EMILY PROGRAM, 2180 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) Maddie indicated he did go to the National Eating Disorders website in an attempt to learn more about this disorder. Maddie stated he would like to take a middle ground on this application and try to figure out what further information is needed in order to determine what is best for The Emily Program, the community, and the residents of this neighborhood. Maddie noted the majority of the local residents oppose the proposed location. Some of the rationale for opposing it include, one, operating a 24/7 facility will change the character and identity of the Crystal Bay neighborhood; two, constant emergency calls at the facility will have an impact on the children‟s perspective of safety in the neighborhood; and three, in terms of safety and risk concerns, the facility will be a non-locked down facility. Maddie asked if it is feasible to presume that someone with suicidal thoughts who flees the facility will pose a clear and present risk. Murphy noted an addendum to that statement would be, a clear and present risk to whom. Maddie indicated he presumes the person would be a risk to himself. As it relates to traffic and parking, based on the research that he has done, all logical indications point to the fact that it is likely traffic will increase on the weekends, which is when most people will be home. Maddie noted he did speak to some real estate agents who seem to think that property valuations could potentially be negatively impacted but they are unable to quantify that. Maddie stated as it relates to due diligence on complaints against the facility, the residents were told by Dr. Miller that he was aware of no complaints against the building. The neighbors feel that additional objective research should be done. The residents to date have been told that it is the City‟s feeling that this use will result in reduced traffic for the neighborhood and that the City should get behind this program because there is nothing not to like about it. In order to obtain an understanding of where people stand on this application, a straw poll was conducted. The majority of the people in the area are opposed to the proposed location. The French Creek Association does not support the location of the facility. Maddie noted not every resident in this area has been canvassed, but that 76 percent of the immediate residents have been. Of those people, 97 percent of the people are opposed to the location. Maddie commented that the voice of the community is against this location. In terms of the Emily Program itself, Maddie stated in his opinion there is not a person in this room who does not support the program or its charter. The Emily Program has made a positive impact on people‟s lives and it is an exceptional program, which is not at debate tonight. Maddie stated the question tonight is whether this is the right location for this facility. Maddie displayed an illustration of the Chaska location on the overhead and pointed out that the area consists of a residential area and a mixed use area. In addition, there is a townhouse complex in the area. Murphy noted the facility in Chaska is in the process of closing. Maddie stated the data shows that the program is exceptional. In order to deal with one of the safety and risk concerns raised by the residents, he did look at police records from the Chaska Police Department and the St. Paul Police Department to understand how many calls have been placed to the facilities. The majority of the calls were made to the Chaska facility and a few calls were made to the St. Paul location. There were 12 missing person‟s reports, 11 death/suicide in progress or attempts, seven mental health concerns, and six Item #02 - CC Agenda - 03/08/2010 Approval of Council Minutes 02/22/2010 [Page 9 of 19]