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MINUTES OF THE <br />SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, January 6, 2014 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />    Page 15 of 27   <br />(1. #13-3638 and #13-3639 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL, LLC (PAT HILLER) O/B/O GRANT <br /> WENKSTERN (LAKEVIEW GOLF), 405 NORTH ARM DRIVE – COMPREHENSIVE <br /> PLAN AMENDMENT AND SKETCH PLAN REVIEW, Continued) <br /> <br />Johnson stated one of their concepts as part of this vision is creating an area for golf with a difference. As <br />part of that the residents could create a business plan for a portion of this land, such as a 9-hole public <br />golf course that would address brand identity and marketing, historical context, a First Tee organization to <br />promote life skills and leadership through the game of golf, and harmony with nature. Johnson stated the <br />plan would also provide environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, chemical use <br />reduction and safety, water quality and management, as well as outreach and education. Johnson stated it <br />would be compatible with the other dimension of their vision. Johnson stated these ideas are the results <br />of the input of hundreds of people and would help celebrate the history, the legacy, and the lake that is <br />near this course. <br /> <br />Johnson stated the citizens group would work with the Wenkstern family to create a legacy as well as <br />involving private and corporate sponsors. Johnson stated in their view there would be a lot of interest in <br />this type of property and that they would leave it to the City Council’s imagination of what this land could <br />become. The citizens would welcome the Council’s input on creating a legacy for this area. Johnson <br />stated if they are successful in creating such a vision, the citizens group has identified a variety of funds, <br />grants, and foundations that could be approached for the management and development part of this <br />legacy. <br /> <br />Dean Mitchell stated he would like to tell a tale of three cities – Minneapolis, Hopkins, and Orono. All <br />three of these cities grew up at the same time and all had open space decisions that they dealt with. <br />Minneapolis chose to preserve Minnehaha Creek with the help of private funds, Hopkins chose to allow <br />development along Minnehaha Creek and Orono is now at a point where they have to make a decision. <br />Mitchell noted historically Orono was founded with the concept of open space. <br /> <br />Mitchell stated there was a letter to the editor in today’s Star Tribune entitled one suburb gets it and one <br />does not. According to reports, Maplewood has been planning for decades to add 70 acres of prime bluff <br />land along the Mississippi River to its green space. Meanwhile, Orono shanked its chance to effectively <br />plan for the transition of the Lakeview Golf Course and somehow that land is being sold to a developer <br />over the howls of its citizens. Johnson stated while he does not live in Orono or Maplewood, all citizens <br />are vested in these decisions since they affect the quality of life in all the metro area. Mitchell stated once <br />the green space is gone, it’s gone forever. <br /> <br />Mitchell stated he would just like to say that it comes down to what you want to defend. The City <br />Council has a choice to either approve a housing development or defend a legacy that will serve <br />generation upon generation. Mitchell stated he hopes the Members of the City Council vote for the long- <br />term legacy of Orono that will serve many generations to come. <br /> <br />Bryce Johnson noted their group initially started with 60 people in October and has now grown to <br />approximately 1,000 people. Johnson commented that while they have spoken for an hour tonight, if each <br />of the 1,000 people that signed the petition had five minutes each, they would be here for three and a half <br />days. Johnson stated the residents are motivated and engaged and will continue to be involved in this <br />issue. Johnson noted over 400 people have pledged their personal money to help with this cause and that <br />their group has identified other sources of funding. Johnson stated due to the time of the season, it did not <br />allow them to approach corporate sources.