04-25-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 25, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (5. RALPHKEMPF - NAVARRE AREA PLANNING, Continued) The 1989 -1990 planning efforts established what Navarre did not want to become. Phase one of a master plan proposed a dramatic redevelopment and land use similar to Mound's redevelopment. This plan, which is one of the alternative land uses that the City came up with, would have created new streets, would have required replacing existing buildings, and would have resulted in higher rents and franchised businesses replacing the local businesses. One of the issues identified at that time was that small parcels limit expansion and redevelopment, which was a major problem that was identified in Navarre at that time. Small parcels actually since that time have become a core value for Navarre. Navarre decided that it wanted to retain small, locally owned businesses that serve the local needs and a business district that allows for these small enterprises over larger franchise businesses that dominate the suburban landscape. There were many other issues identified at that time, such as lack of safe pedestrian crossings which divided the community and made it difficult to access different sections. This obsefvation applied all the way down the length of CR51 and CR19 and at Dunwoody and Casco Point Road as well. In 2000, the Orono Comprehensive Plan update acknowledged the major commercial center of Orono will continue to be the crossroad center of Navarre.-The scale and type of retail uses in a pedestrian friendly environment is the most important development parameter for the Navarre commercial area. • In March 2003, as the Dakota Rail to Trail project approached approval, the City hosted a town hall meeting. The first part of the meeting was seeking citizen and resident input on what needs to be improved in Navarre. Responses were wide ranging and included a need for trees and for Navarre to define itself, a need for continuity and to give a sense of passing through a special place. Of all the people who got up and spoke during the meeting, more than half of them raised concerns with traffic and pedestrian safety. The minutes of the March 13th meeting on Page 6 reflect that Mr. Omley questioned whether there was a way to construct a sidewalk along CR19. Mayor White at that time responded that the City would like to get a sidewalk from Navarre to the Dakota Rail Trail. Greg Gappa, who was then the public service director, stated that the City hopes to complete sidewalk construction along the first block of Shadywood Road this year using some state aid funding. He indicated that attempts will be made to complete consecutive blocks as resources become available. Kempf stated to his knowledge that is the sidewalk that is now in place running north along the Navarre playground down to Livingston Avenue. Then in 2005 -2006, Orono placed a moratorium on Navarre development and hosted a second town hall meeting. The concept plans coming out of this process retained the footprints of Navarre businesses and the current lots but enhanced the CR15 corridor, expanded the sidewalks, enlarged safe haven pedestrian islands at the intersection, strengthened the visual impact of crosswalks, added trees, bushes and pedestrian seating and meetings areas to acknowledge to traffic in no uncertain terms that Navarre is a pedestrian zone. Kempf stated when he needs to visit Navarre and go to the hardware and then the grocery store, he will take Highway 19 from the north, park in front of the hardware store. After he comes out of the hardware store and goes to Lunds, he will get back in his car, do a U -turn, drive 200 feet into the Lunds parking lot, park there and do his business, and then drive away. Kempf stated even on the nicest of days that is the way he will do it because no one in their right mind would navigate that street. Page 9 of 25