09-09-2013 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 26, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 21 (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) The second issue is the noise pollution will be significant, especially for the church’s location. The sketch shows a road with just minimum setbacks from the property lines and the development largely surrounds the church’s property. It will result in the church becoming an island in a sea of high-density housing, cars, trucks, plus people walking around or near the property lines. Masserano stated the third issue is the air pollution that will be created from the trucks, construction workers, movers, residents’ cars and other vehicles that will be continually moving in the area. The rich foliage that contributes to the ambience of Kelly Street and the homes on and off the lake in the area will be forever changed for the worst. Even if the wetlands are left that mostly separate Kelly from the proposed construction site, this development will still destroy a large area of beautiful and diverse trees and native landscape that provides habitat for many deer and other animals native to the area. Masserano stated one of the reasons the church relocated to Navarre was the commercial zoning on Shadywood with the heavy foliage around their property. It seemed to be a quiet and peaceful place for the church’s headquarters. The church took steps to retain as many trees as possible, in addition to relocating six to seven of them on the property, and also created berms out front to shield the church from the traffic. Masserano stated he would invite anyone from the City who wishes to visit their property to do so. If the property had been surrounded by high-density housing, it would not have been a plus. To change the zoning codes on Shadywood as proposed would negatively impact the long-term plans for the area and would require a completely different approach for the businesses in the area. Masserano stated in his view anything other than a one acre; single dwelling code for the Kelly property would greatly affect negatively the value of homes on Kelly and adjoining streets. This project would impact the larger Navarre business community from a leisurely, lakeside community to a crowded, noisy and stressful “big city” environment that many in the area may not want. Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, stated the Mayor’s comments about how other cities have taken advantage of the opportunities that the trail has brought to them are important. Kempf noted the City of Mound converted their pump house into a little restroom which has now been moved onto the trail. Kempf stated the City of Mound is very good at finding grant money to help them improve their areas. Kempf noted the DNR has created a presentation on rain gardens where it takes the viewer from spot to spot as they learn about rain gardens. Kempf stated the trail helps bring people into the community, and that in his opinion Orono is missing the boat by not bringing that same group of people into the Navarre business center. Kempf stated he wishes and hopes that that will come to pass and Orono will recognize the value of what is happening around them. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 09/09/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 08/26/2013 [Page 3 of 21]