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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, October 21, 2013 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 36 of 42  <br />  <br />back to the Planning Commission. Gaffron stated at any point in the future the City may reguide the <br />property, but noted that since 1980 the City has had opportunities to change it but it was not changed. <br /> <br />Landgraver stated in his view the Planning Commission is going down a dangerous path and that once it <br />is guided in one direction, to say that the City can go back and reguide it later might be opening up a can <br />of worms. Landgraver stated in his view there is a practical consequence that will occur if this area is <br />reguided. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated once the property is developed, it would be very difficult to change it to one acre zoning <br />from two acre development. <br /> <br />Lemke asked what the implications are of passing the amendment and whether that means it has to be <br />developed. <br /> <br />Gaffron stated a golf course is a conditional use in a residential zone. Gaffron asked whether it could be <br />left as a golf course even if it is guided residential. <br /> <br />Grittman stated in his view the City could do that and that he does not feel there is a conflict if the City <br />zones it that way. Grittman stated the developer’s right is vested typically at the time of preliminary plat <br />approval and that a Comprehensive Plan change does not mean that the City is done with the property. <br />Once the developer obtains preliminary plat approval, at that point they would have a property right in a <br />development of some sort. <br /> <br />Leskinen stated if the Planning Commission were to go ahead with the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, <br />there are still some possibilities for alternatives. Leskinen stated she does take it to heart that the <br />residents are challenging the City to come up with something, but that there is only so much the City can <br />do. Leskinen stated if the Comprehensive Plan Amendment would still allow that possibility to exist, she <br />would be okay with it. <br /> <br />Grittman stated if the Council approves the Comprehensive Plan change on November 12, it would still <br />have to go through Metropolitan Council review before it becomes a final change, and even that does not <br />foreclose the City from taking different actions. If the applicants are seeking a modified plat design <br />through a PRD, the City still has a lot of flexibility even within the development scenario to negotiate <br />some other design opportunities. <br /> <br />Landgraver stated in his view it is great that so many citizens have come out to participate in this process <br />and that he would like to thank the Wenkstern family for being great citizens but that it does not seem fair <br />to ask them to delay selling their land in the hope that something else might happen. <br /> <br />Schwingler stated he is in agreement with Commissioner Landgraver. As landowners in Orono, a person <br />has certain rights. Schwingler stated part of the process is hearing what the citizens have to say but at the <br />same time the Planning Commission has to consider other issues. Schwingler noted the Planning <br />Commission is a recommending body and not the final say, but there are other issues that need to be <br />addressed to keep it moving forward in fairness to the landowner. <br /> <br />Thiesse asked whether Three Rivers Park District or Hennepin County knows that this land is available. <br />Gaffron indicated he does not know the answer to that. <br /> <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 11/18/2013 <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 10/21/2013 <br />[Page 36 of 42]