01-06-2014 Council Minutes Special Meeting

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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 6, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 14 of 27 (1. #13-3638 and #13-3639 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL, LLC (PAT HILLER) O/B/O GRANT WENKSTERN (LAKEVIEW GOLF), 405 NORTH ARM DRIVE – COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT AND SKETCH PLAN REVIEW, Continued) Broden stated the State of Minnesota recognizes the importance of land use management. Public policy issues that impact Minnesota include continued involvement and interface with public policy organizations and individuals and frequent dialogue with MN Agricultural Commissioner Dave Frederickson regarding topics including land use issues and water quality. Broden stated preserving Lakeview is critical because changing the City’s Comprehensive Plan will affect all citizens of Orono not just for this generation but for future generations. The basic plan in place recognizes that vision. Broden stated if it is put into the perspective of a vision for the future, he is not sure how the City Council can make a change. Broden stated the strength of the group and the number of people here tonight confirms that this is not a singular area issue but that it is a broader issue affecting more than just the Lakeview neighbors. Broden stated the City Council needs to build on these issues and fundamental guidelines and protect the quality of life in this area. Bryce Johnson stated if a person looks at what might be created on this unique site, it will be the start of a vision. Johnson stated the City needs to have such a vision. The residents see this land potentially as having a nature history and education portion year-round, which is a concept that could still involve golf with a difference. Those two concepts would protect the environment, maintain dark skies, educate and inspire, honor Orono’s cultural heritage, there would be collaboration with other organizations, and access to all. In addition to a golf course, the land could be used for walking trails, cross-country skiing, skating, sledding, and observing nature throughout the year, and areas that would be returned to a natural habitat consisting of prairies, trees, and wetlands, which would support wildlife such as birds and butterflies. Johnson stated there could be other areas that could be open to creative landscapers to create arboretum like areas as well as incorporating plaques devoted to the history of this land. Johnson commented history and culture would play a big role, especially since everyone is now learning about the genealogy of this land ranging from when it first served as a park during the late 1800s and early 1900s, through farming, and to its present state as a golf course. Johnson stated the residents also learned that Source Land Capital was not the first to propose a development on this site and that someone in 1892 proposed what appears to be a series of cottage type lots called Gray Plant. Johnson indicated Native American history has also played an important part in this area, aspects of which are described in the history of the land that has been included in the City Council’s packets. Johnson stated there is a rich texture of history and culture in this land that is perched above the northwest corner of Lake Minnetonka, which is helping to inspire the residents to protect the land for generations to club. Johnson stated the club house offers an opportunity to enforce education initiated by the outdoor experience and, with rehabilitation, the club house could become an education center with rotating exhibits; serve as a lecture/meeting area, and a small event venue.