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PC Exhibit D <br /> Excerpt from City Council minutes May 23,2016 <br /> Dianna Milianta, 3515 Sixth Avenue North, stated she would like to read some excerpts from an article <br /> that appeared in the Lakeshore Weekly News published on October 3],2011. The article talked about <br /> how,as an avid animal lover, Susan Lurton enjoyed seeing them in their natural element. The following <br /> is a quote from Phil Lurton,her husband: "We could see the property from our place and Sue did not <br /> want development over there on that property because it was beautiful and she looked across the lake at it <br /> all the time." Another quote from the article states that: "Sue's main thing was love for animal, said Bill. <br /> That was part of the reason why she didn't want to see development, because of the animals who lived in <br /> those areas,like deer and fox and whatever else we used to see. <br /> Milianta stated just five years ago the Lurton family was talking about how this park was made for the <br /> animals as Sue intended,but then the City decided to make a change and fence in the whole thing. <br /> As a result,the wildlife will not have a place to live and will not have a path to travel through the area. <br /> Milianta stated it is not just the deer and the fox but that she sees deer,fox, squirrels,bunnies,turkeys, <br /> raccoons,and all kinds of birds. In the winter there are coyotes that travel across the lake and through <br /> that property. Milianta stated if that area is fenced in,those animals will not be able to get througb there. <br /> Milianta stated Sue's main thing was love far animals,which is why she did not want to see development, <br /> and that she wanted a place for the wildlife to live. Milianta stated by erecting the fence,the animals will <br /> be routed down along the road and there will be a lot more dead animals. Milianta stated a dog park is <br /> totally against the original intent of the property by erecting the fence and that the original covenants say <br /> the property shall be preserved and used only as natural paths of an environmental park. The City shall <br /> create a plan for the park that reflects the passive character of the park and the City shall provide <br /> improvements as set out in the Park Plan, which included a picnic table,property hiking, trails, and the <br /> parking lot. Milianta stated fencing this area in and allowing dogs to run through there goes against hat <br /> Susan Lurton's original intent was, and that she is curious to know why the family wanted to make that <br /> change. <br /> Milianta stated that park is used even though you may not see a lot of cars there. Milianta stated it is a <br /> different kind of park than the other parks in the area. It is a place where people can go and meet in the <br /> open area by the picnic table,but when you step into the woods, it is immediately peaceful and quiet. <br /> Milianta stated one or two people will walk at a time but that there are not big groups of people camping <br /> and being loud. The park is mainly used in the spring and fall. Milianta stated she lives behind the park <br /> and sees people using it and that she is not sure how the Park Commission researched it or how they <br /> determined it was underutilized. Milianta stated she is very much against the variances. <br /> Laurel MacLachlan, 3565 Sixth Avenue North, asked what impact studies the City has done regarding the <br /> wildlife and other items. MacLacblan stated it is her understanding that Orono has approved some higher <br /> density properties in the area, so the likelihood of that park getting used more is high. <br /> MacLachlan noted a lot of the Orono properties consist of two to five acres. MacLachlan stated she has <br /> dogs herself and that she would not specifically take them to that dog park because they can run all they <br /> want on her own property. MacLachlan stated that is why she is wondering who the City is targeting and <br /> whether they are truly targeting the citizens of Orono. MacLachlan questioned whether the City is doing <br /> this in an attempt to raise money by attracting dog owners from other areas to use the park. <br /> MacLachlan stated if the City wants to put dogs in the park,they can use a smaller area so other people <br /> can enjoy the paths and the picnic tables without being in the middle of a dog park. MacLachlan asked if <br /> Orono truly has a need for the largest dog park in the area given the fact that there are other dog parks in <br />