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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 COMMUNITIES,SKETCH PLAN,CONTINUED) <br /> An unidentified resident asked who owns the fire station. <br /> Gaffron stated it is his understanding Orono owns the majority share but that he would have to double check <br /> that. <br /> Mohaupt indicated the land is owned by Long Lake and that Orono has 57 percent equity in the fire <br /> deparhnent. <br /> John Harris,2445 Woodhaven Drive,Long Lake, stated Commonbond appears to be a fair and equitable <br /> company but it looks like these are merely proposals at this time since this lot is not zoned for this type of <br /> density. If that hurdle does occur,that could open up a whole new realm of possibilities. Orono is looking at <br /> the situation that they need to go high density in some places because the Metropolitan Council has <br /> recommended that they do so. The Metropolitan Council is not made up of elected officials. The <br /> Metropolitan Council is looking at this from a broad standpoint and they may not necessarily be wrong but <br /> they may not have the right idea for our community. Harris suggested that the Planning Commission look <br /> outside the box. Harris stated he is not indicating that CommonBond is not a good company but that the <br /> development should fit within the community. <br /> Harris requested the City of Orono go back to the Metropolitan Council and say that this will not work for our <br /> community and that they need to come up with something else. Harris stated there is a dollar figure associated <br /> with every child who attends the schools but that there are not enough people to pay for these services. Harris <br /> indicated he understands the need to develop but that the City of Orono should go back to the Metropolitan <br /> Council and say that this is not going to work for us. Orono needs to find other properties and�nd a new way <br /> to solve this and that the Long Lake residents do not want it shoved down their throats. <br /> Kang commented Orono Staff has worked very hard with Metropolitan Council but unfortunately the City is <br /> being pushed to do some of this high density housing. <br /> Brian Droen stated when you start looking at hard surface and drainage, including the parking lot of the fire <br /> station,it appears that there is an awful lot of drainage that will go into the wetlands. <br /> Craig Riedl suggested someone from the Planning Commission walk that diagonal road to visualize the <br /> standing water on the northeast. Currently there is standing water in that area. <br /> Karen Paulson, 256 Harrington Drive,Long Lake, stated she lives close to the park and that she calls the <br /> police station on a regular basis to check on the kids in the park. Paula stated in her view putting that many <br /> kids in the area will cause more problems. In addition,there is not enough parking and the residents will park <br /> in the park. <br /> Stephen Schmidt,246 Inglewood Street,Long Lake,asked how the 42 units were arrived at. Schmidt stated in <br /> his view the density is too high. <br /> Novak stated they worked with their architect and met with City Staff to determine the appropriate density for <br /> the site. Novak noted they are below the density that is allowed and that the 42 units would allow them to <br /> provide the appropriate services and maintain the feel of a community. It is a possibility that two or three units <br /> would need to be removed in order to accommodate the wetlands,but that they would need to maintain a 37 to <br /> 42 unit development. <br /> Page 16 <br />