05-23-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 23, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (8. #11 -3504 PUBLIC HEARING - CITY OF ORONO - ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. GARDENAS A PERMITTED USE, Continued) Saufferer indicated he has not. Bremer asked whether any of the local churches have been approached. Saufferer stated he spoke with Liz at IOCP but that it was kind of late in the year and that his request was not followed up. Saufferer indicated there are a number of local programs that exist currently, such as in Tonka Bay and Minnetonka. Last year those programs gathered roughly 7,500 pounds of fresh produce. The ICA has also approached all of their churches last March and their goal is to bring in 15,000 pounds. In addition, three other churches located in Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Excelsior have decided to build donation gardens for ICA since it is a great community activity. Saufferer commented that the concept of a community donation garden is starting to catch on and that he would like to see it happen in Orono. Saufferer noted that Liz at IOCP did mention that UMMC is a big supporter of IOCP and had a large garden plot. Saufferer stated he sees this as an opportunity get the exposure and have the benefits compound throughout the local communities. Printup noted the Council's packet contains a note from IOCP saying they are excited about the prospects of this garden. • Saufferer indicated fresh produce is the most expensive thing for a food shelf to buy. Saufferer indicated there is another local food shelf that supports the Mound area which is about a tenth of the size of IOCP and that they are on board for getting fresh produce and incorporating it into their Meals on Wheels program. Bremer asked if he has spoken to the fire chief. Saufferer stated the fire chief was there when they measured out the garden. Saufferer illustrated on the overhead the parking for the pancake breakfast, the helipad, and the parking for the garden. Saufferer noted he did measure the space off when there were cars filling the parking area for the pancake breakfast to give him a better idea of what type of space they required. The lot currently is just grass that gets mowed twice a year. Bremer asked what the soil is like. Saufferer indicated it is dark soil and that he would like to utilize the City's compost pile for this garden. Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, commented it sounds like a wonderful idea since Orono is an agricultural community and that he is surprised it is not already a permitted use for when people want to put in a garden. Kempf stated he does not have any concerns with a vacant lot being turned into a garden and that it probably would not be a detriment to the community any more than the vacant lot itself. Kempf indicated the question he had about the community garden was where the water would come from but that it sounds like the water is coming from Long Lake. • Elizabeth Levang, 4010 Bayside Road, noted a special event permit has been given to the person who sells fireworks in Navarre, which is not a one day event, and Lunds has also gotten one to allow Gertens to be there for the summer. In addition, the park at Big Island has a season long permit. Levang indicated Page 15 of 24