05-11-1999 Council Minutes Special Meeting

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 11, 1999 • Jackson commented that Woodhill Country Club is a family club and only has a small bar. Jackson stated that their members normally do not gather at the bar and drink, and that the atmosphere of the club is more of a family gathering. Woodhill Country Club at.this time does not have specific numbers regarding the number of members who drink. Jerry Storch, 1245 Woodhill Avenue, inquired whether the traffic count distinguished in any way the 25 percent of the membership that live to the west and north. McCarthy stated that the traffic count was not broken out to reflect those numbers. ii) Public Comments Jane Delaney, 1315 Woodhill Avenue, commented that their petition is representative of 45 households that are in opposition to this application, noting that the only ones who were in support of the application were members of the Country Club. Delaney stated that the residents were questioning why public hearings were not held before this time regarding this proposal. Delaney also stated that she used to walk in the area where the secondary access is proposed and in her opinion that road is more of a footpath and has not been maintained. Delaney also expressed concern that her driveway is located by the access, which will make it more difficult for her to exit her driveway due to the traffic going in and out of the Country Club. Brian Palmer, 1190 Lyman Avenue, spoke in favor of the application, noting that his family has used that secondary access when traveling on foot or bike for approximately 14 years. Palmer • stated that the left -hand turn that is required off of Orono Orchard Road is dangerous and that this secondary access will provide a safer route of traffic to and from the Club for his family. Palmer commented that people need to be responsible drivers and to watch out for pedestrians and other vehicles on the road, but that this proposal will help improve the present traffic condition on County Road 15. Charles Maile, 1260 Woodhill Avenue, expressed his thanks to the City Council and City Staff for all their hard work regarding this issue. Maile commented that in his opinion annual reviews of this situation should be required as part of the conditional use permit due to the safety concerns that have been raised by the neighbors. Maile remarked that this access will increase traffic on Woodhill Avenue and would directly impact his family. Maile also raised concerns about the consumption of alcohol at the Country Club and the Woodhill Barn, noting that alcohol is being served within a short distance from his residence. Maile also commented that this application is proposing to put commercial and business traffic on a residential street, and encouraged the City Council to vote in opposition to this application. David Luther, 9900 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, stated they were in favor of this application, noting that they are the owners of the property located at 1250 Woodhill Avenue and would not be opposed to removing the vegetation and brush that exists on the corner if deemed necessary. Shelly Storch thanked the City Council members for all their efforts regarding this application, noting that she is strongly opposed to approval of this application due to the safety and equity concerns that have been raised surrounding this issue. Storch stated that Woodhill Country Club is a business that sells liquor and their proposal will bring that traffic through their residential neighborhood. Storch remarked that the Country Club should choose between selling liquor and having this access through a residential neighborhood. • Page 10