10-13-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 13, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 21 (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) Divick noted few community members know about this and a number of citizens are concerned about the direction to move forward with good faith negotiations when there is so little known about the project. Divick stated she was disappointed that the Orono City Council was not brought into the discussion since this project will impact both communities. Divick stated the first reason she is concerned about the project is that she lives two blocks away from the development but that a number of Orono residents live even closer to it. The second concern relates to the fact that Orono schools will need to absorb the additional students. Currently the school district is approaching or has already exceeded the maximum number of students allowed and it is likely that the residents will be faced with a tax increase to accommodate these students. Divick noted Wayzata Boulevard is the gateway to both Orono and Long Lake and could use some updating. Divick indicated she received a call today from a business owner in Long Lake who had no idea this was going on. The business owner indicated that when people come here from Minneapolis, they ask what is wrong with this town, which is sad because there is so much potential for the area. Divick stated constructing 40 to 50 units that will be largely government subsidized is not the most strategic decision to achieve a thriving, charming and community oriented town center for both Long Lake and Orono residents. Divick stated the fourth concern is that the Orono and Long Lake communities will not be able to absorb these additional residents. Divick stated when you look at the other communities Beacon has invested in, such as Edina and Minneapolis, the number of units being proposed for this development based on square acreage is nearly 26 times the rate of concentration compared to Minneapolis and Edina. Long Lake and Orono also do not have the infrastructure for the people moving in; no jobs, little public transportation, and no government agencies in town. Divick stated the last concern relates to the fact that Beacon typically only retains partial ownership in their other projects. The other owners are unknown at this point and many other questions remain to be answered that need to be answered. Divick stated she does not believe it is a secret that Long Lake is not thriving and prosperous but that putting a largely government sanctioned housing development with a high percentage of low income housing is not a sound strategic decision for the community’s future. The City needs to think of its ability to generate revenue and a desire to live here. Divick noted with 40 to 50 units, one out of 20 households in Long Lake would be living in this development. Dick stated Wayzata Boulevard is all the residents have to define their town and that Wayzata Boulevard is the lifeline to a thriving community. Divick stated development of that corridor should not be poorly managed. Divick stated in her view Long lake is already adequately meeting the needs of low income residents.