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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,Apri119,2010 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#10-3460 COMMONBOND COMNIiTNITIES,SKETCH PLAN, CONTINUED) <br /> Orono and there is still open land within Orono of at least five acres where it could be built closer to the police <br /> station and closer to the Orono residents. <br /> Michael LaQuey,P.O.Box 94, Crystal Bay, stated in his view this is a fantastic idea. LaQuey noted he is a <br /> ' member of the class of 1974 and that they have been complaining for years and years about not having <br /> affordable housing in Orono and having to leave Orono and be away from family and friends. LaQuey stated <br /> he feels this would solve an issue that has been going on since the early 1970s and probably even before. <br /> LaQuey stated he would like to see this type of housing expanded to all workers that are current residents and <br /> that he would like to see a waiting list developed for people of the Orono community. LaQuey stated in his <br /> view there could be ways to avoid issues with fair housing,because if you say policemen and firemen in <br /> Orono,that has already resulted in some partitions of the demographics. LaQuey stated it is important to have <br /> a waiting list that is in compliance with Fair Housing requirements and that he would like to see it expanded to <br /> workers in other communities that are involved with the infrastructure of the area. LaQuey suggested <br /> expanding the waiting list to residents of Spring Park,Maple Plain, Orono,Long Lake and Independence as <br /> the workers and residents to have priority on the waiting list. <br /> . LaQuey suggested that the rents be inflation adjusted rents to avoid back filling with Section 8. If the rates <br /> stay constant and the demographics change and people start earning too much income,by not adjusting rents, <br /> there could potentially be the problem of it becoming Section 8 housing. <br /> Ed Pollock, 315 Dupont,Long Lake, stated he moved here 31 years ago because it was a nice area and that he <br /> has a concern with the east side of the development. Currently there is standing water on the east side and that <br /> in his opinion it should be classified as a wetland. This development would destroy that. <br /> Kim Edwards,2450 Woodhaven Drive, expressed concern that the density is too high for this site. There is no <br /> public transportation available and the parking issues that have previously been raised are also a concern. <br /> Aaron Printup stated he is in agreement with the residents concerning the high density. T'he City of Orono <br /> should be careful of crime coming into the area,which will likely result from this project. Printup noted this <br />. application piggybacks with the City's proposed Comprehensive Plan. Printup asked how much influence the <br /> Metropolitan Council has over Orono. The Metropolitan Council consists of unelected and appointed people <br /> and their accountability is nothing. Printup stated he believes the Metropolitan Council has very little power <br /> over the City and that the City does not have to be pressured by what the Metropolitan Council wants the city <br /> to do. <br /> Kang commented out the Metropolitan Council holds the MUSA over the City of Orono's head and that the <br /> City is supposed to comply with certain requirements of the Metropolitan Council. <br /> Lee Dougherty, 253 Inglewood Street,Long Lake, stated the neighborhood is basically a neighborhood of <br /> Long Lake and that this is a very small site. Dougheriy requested the Planning Commission take into <br /> consideration what the Long Lake residents want in their neighborhood. <br /> Jan Solheim,234 Harrington Drive,Long Lake, asked who owns land currently. <br /> Gaffron stated the property to the north is under contract between Mr.Miller and CommonBond. The property <br /> directly behind the fire station is owned by the City of Orono. <br /> Page 15 <br />