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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 22, 2010 7:00 o’clock p.m. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 15 of 19 (4. #10-3442 THE EMILY PROGRAM, 2180 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) fellow citizens of Orono so they can have a successful life. Everybody deserves a second chance, which the Emily Program offers. Marfield stated there is not one person in this room that disagrees with that but that they have an issue with the location. Byrnes indicated she is very familiar with this location as her brother lives across the street and she takes classes at the Minnetonka Art Center. Byrnes commented she loves the Orono community and grew up in it. This location is great because it is a residential area. The patients don‟t want to be put away in some isolated spot. They want to feel at home in a community and neighborhood that surrounds you and supports you. Dean Lundblad, 1290 Arbor Street, noted that several of the neighbors within the 350-foot radius were not notified, so the neighbors have some disgust with the system. Lundblad indicated he had a friend in college that had an eating disorder and that he crossed paths with her recently and she is enjoying a good life. Lundblad indicated he does support the Emily Program but does not want it at this location. Sharon Winslow, 1205 French Creek, stated in her view the comments regarding the traffic and parking issues have been glossed over. In her opinion the intersection at County Road 15 and 51 is the worst intersection in this area and that this will increase traffic at that intersection. Winslow indicated she is worried about traffic accidents at that intersection. Acting Mayor Murphy commented that whatever happens with this application will not dramatically change the situation at that intersection. Murphy stated when the City Council agreed to the reconfiguration of Hill School for the charter school, they had issues with parking and traffic at that time, and that he does have personal issues concerning that intersection since he was in a collision there. Maddie stated a lot of people have some valid points both for and against this application. Maddie asked whether it would be feasible to enact an ordinance for an interim use period and have a trial for 12 months, followed by another 12 month trial, and then issue a conditional use permit. Maddie stated in his view that any relevant concerns could be addressed during that time and that option might offer an opportunity to find compromise on this situation. Dr. Croll commented that there appears to be a real concern on the part of the neighbors that the police and ambulance will be coming to this location all the time but that it will probably only be an average of one time per month. Dr. Croll stated in her view that would not have an enormous impact on the neighborhood and the situation would be similar to a neighbor requiring an ambulance. Acting Mayor Murphy suggested the City Council start discussing the application. Lorraine Kaley, 1395 Brown Road, stated she lives on that corner and would invite people to visit that corner to see what the traffic is like, particularly with people parking to access the trail. Acting Mayor Murphy noted the City Council has discussed those issues with Hennepin County and that a lot of work needs to be done to address that situation. Acting Mayor Murphy closed the public hearing at 8:53 p.m. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 03/08/2010 Approval of Council Minutes 02/22/2010 [Page 15 of 19]