01-26-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 26, 1998 • ( #12 - #2331 Marc Gillett - Continued) Jabbour asked Staff to make a recommendation based on if the use were to locate in the City of Orono and determine the most appropriate location. Council agreed. He asked that the guidelines be presented for discussion at the next meeting. ( #13) #2338 FRESHWATER FOUNDATION, 2500 SHADYWOOD ROAD - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT Representing the Freshwater Foundation were Don Brown and JoEllen Hurr. Van Zomeren reported that the request by the Freshwater Foundation is to update or amend the conditional use permit. She presented the history behind the foundation and the building. The University of Minnesota did not need a zoning approval because it is the State that grants police power to the City to regulate land use. The University of Minnesota gave the facility back to the foundation in the early 1990's. A corporate tenant has been found to lease the lower level. The Planning Commission reviewed the application and were concerned with the lack of information on the tenant and their work. The lease was under negotiations at the time. Van Zomeren said Staff did not believe they could give approval without direction from Council. The Planning Commission recommended no action be taken as they found no change to the conditional use. Council was asked to provide direction to the applicant regarding the status of the • conditional use permit and if the lease fit the use. 0 JoEllen Hurr, a Foundation board member, said the lease is with Cargill, who is interested in leasing the facility for research. In response to the City's concern regarding the type of research, Hurr said the tenant must adhere to requirements of the permit. The permits require maintaining review and authorization. Hurr informed Flint that the reason behind the new tenant lease is economical. She noted the expense related to laboratories. Jabbour was informed by Don Brown that the type of research is biological in nature and includes water based processing. He said the research is compatible with the design and activities conducted by the University of Minnesota. The Council was to determine whether the CUP in place is compatible with the tenant's use and within the parameters of the CUP itself. The City needs to be aware of the State and Federal regulations guiding the use. Jabbour said he would like assurance that no hazardous materials are involved. 17