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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 1999 <br />PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS - Jay Nygard, Representative . <br />None <br />PUBLIC COMMENTS <br />John Winston, 144 Wear Lane North, and Jim Renckens, 3020 Watertown Road were <br />present. Winston said he and Mr. Renckens wanted to express their concern with the <br />relocation of the railroad and Highway 12 and the apparent decision of the State not to place a <br />berm or some type of sound/noise/light barrier between their neighborhood and the relocated <br />railroad and highway. It is their understanding that the State has made a decision that their <br />neighborhood is not impacted to such an extent that any kind of barrier will be installed. They <br />are concerned about the adverse impact this will cause to their property value. He said he does <br />not feel it will do any good for him and Mr. Renckens to plead their case with Mn/DOT unless <br />the City of Orono expresses a concern. He requested that the City Council express these <br />concerns before the Design Review Committee. <br />Renckens said he spoke with Tom O'Keefe from Mn/DOT who confirmed that because of <br />cost considerations and their properties do not immediately abut the roadway, Mn/DOT does <br />not feel it is warranted to protect their neighborhood. Mr. O'Keefe told him that the only way <br />to overturn that decision at this time is by the political process. <br />Jabbour briefed Winston and O'Keefe on the fact that the City's position has always been that • <br />Mn/DOT shall protect all the property, including present and future homes, along the road. <br />The Design Review Committee was formed so that each neighborhood could decide what <br />would be appropriate for them, but Mn/DOT has very strict guidelines. There must be at least <br />three homes within a specific distance before Mn/DOT will put in a barrier or protection. <br />Many places in Orono do not meet the guidelines because of the two -acre zoning. Mn/DOT <br />replied that they would not discuss it until the guidelines were met. Jabbour said that there <br />was a recent subdivision that created five additional homes and it was submitted to Mn/DOT. <br />He said the City's strategy has been to work closely with Mr. O'Keefe. He suggested that <br />perhaps some of the other lots in their neighborhood would have to be subdivided to meet <br />Mn/DOT's guidelines. <br />Kelley said that the lots belonging to Alan Carlson are almost landlocked and may need to be <br />subdivided. <br />Winston said he wants it on the record that they requested that the environmental impacts to <br />their neighborhood be minimized. <br />Jabbour said their concerns have been conveyed to Mn/DOT in the past. He said that their <br />concerns will be brought up again and he encouraged Winston and Renckens to voice their <br />opinions to Mn/DOT. <br />0 <br />Page 2 <br />