Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-1995 Planning Commission Minutes• PLANNING COMMISSION COUNCIL <S S PUBLIC ATTENDANCE MEETING DATE all (q PLEASE FILL OUT THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BELOW FOR OUR CITY RECORDS. PRESENT FOR (from agenda) NAME (please print) ADDRESS NAME OR NUMBER 1. V �, -, -Lllcr�"clill� (k( :�l L�-,c c c( <6, 2. 4. 5. *I 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. IN* 20. i -\ V t 6/, 7, ell (N i -\ V • PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEETING DATE PLEASE FILL OUT THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BELOW FOR OUR CITY RECORDS. PRESENT FOR (from agenda) NAME (please print) ADDRESS NAME OR NUMBER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 0- 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 40'. 20. ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINU'I'ES FOR MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SFIADYWOOD ROAD ROLL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above date with the following members present: Chair Charles Schroeder, Stephen Peterson, Sandra Smith, Dale Lindquist, Candace Rowlette, Charles Nolan, Jr., and Janice Berg. The following represented the City Staff: Building and Zoning Administrator Jeanne Mabusth, Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator Michael Gaffron, and Recorder Sherry Frost. Chair Schroeder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. • ( #1) INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS - CHAIRMAN CHARLES SCHROEDER • Schroeder informed the public that this public information meeting is the fourth in a series of meetings regarding a proposed shelter in Navarre for Westonka Intervention Project. Schroeder reported that this process has been a real learning experience for all members of the Commission. The Planning Commission has looked at the need for a shelter, how it operates, and the zoning issue. At this time, enough information has been gathered in the application process to solicit input from the public. A large number (205) of notices were sent to people in the vicinity of the proposed shelter site. The notification of this meeting was also posted in the City Hall, the Post Office, and published in two newspapers. The Planning Commission felt it was important to go beyond the normal realm of notification to inform the public of these meetings and receive their input. • • • MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD ( #2) REVIEW OF PROPOSED USE - DANIEL HESSBURG, REPRESENTATIVE OF WESTONKA INTERVENTION PROJECT Dan Hessburg, representative of Westonka Intervention Project, gave some background to how the project began. A committee was formed in 1983 in response to community problems in the west suburban area. Domestic abuse was a topic that frequently arose which led to the formation of the project. The Mound, St. Bonifacius, and Minnestrista areas were served until 1985 when the non -profit organization was formed and grant funding was received. The service area expanded in 1988 to include Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Long Lake, and Spring Park. Maple Plain and Independence are now being added. The project has spoken with other cities in the south shore area for future inclusion. They are Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Excelsior, Greenwood, and Wayzata. The project serves about 150 families a month. Of that number, 10 -20% request a safe home. In the last 12 years, Hessburg reported that they have not been able to place anyone in either of the nearest shelters, Sojourner in Minnetonka, and a Plymouth shelter, due to no of space available. The church in Navarre is the second location looked at for a shelter. The first one was near the old Fina station on Three Points Blvd. and 110 in Mound. Our Lady of the Lake Church's convent was available but needed to be taken down or sold by a certain date. The sale was based on receiving permission for the use by the City. There was some public opposition. The project was not able to meet the deadline. z MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD Hessburg reported that the Navarre location is in the heart of their service area. It is also close to facilities such as the police department, public transportation, stores, and on the bus route for several school districts, Mound - Westonka, Orono, and near the route for Minnetonka, allowing children to attend their own schools. An offer was made and accepted with the Conservative Baptist Conference in the fall of 1994. The church offer was for $190,000 with $110,000 carried by the church over a five -year period. The project qualifies for Minnesota Housing finance and will receive a $210,000 grant. Other funding possibilities are being followed upon. The VFW in Mound has agreed to donate $6,000 /year for the next five years. The project also qualifies 0 for funding from the Department of Corrections. An architectural drawing of the floor plan was presented. The outside will remain basically the same with the exception of window changes to allow for egress in the lower level. There will be a porch on the front. The lower level will be the dormitory area with seven bedrooms, housing 20 beds. There will be men and women bathrooms and kitchen and dining facilities on this floor. The upper level will house the offices and counseling areas along with men and women bathrooms. Storage will be in the mezzanine area. A landscaping plan will be developed with the City. Fencing is planned for the rear area for parking and play areas. The outside will be lit by mercury lighting. Hessburg outlined the process their project goes through with a victim. They get called from the police department after the initial arrest. Two advocates meet with the women, 0 who is informed of her rights and options available. There is generally an order of 3 • MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD protection received from the court system. The advocates will attend the court hearing and assist the victim through the court process. During this time, a safe shelter is seeked out and funded through a voucher system. This shelter which will have 20 beds will serve about 7 -9 families at one time. There is an average of 2+ children per victim. The average stay is 17 -19 days. Hessburg read to the public a statement of non - violence. ( #3) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OR SPECIAL SITE NEEDS OF USE - APPLICANT AND ORONO STAFF Schroeder informed the public that the City of Orono's zoning code does not provide for shelters at this time. The Planning Commission has been in the process of answering several questions. Are shelters appropriate in certain zones? Is this application appropriate if a condition use permit is granted? Mabusth went over the zoning of the area. The site is in a residential zone on the edge of the commercial district. Mabusth reported that research has found a shelter best located on the edge of commercial and residential districts with close proximity to stores, public and school transportation. The building is easily converted and easily reached. The building contains 5000 sq ft. The building is located 265' from lot line on residential side and 205' from the other side. y MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 of PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD • ( #4) REVIEW OF EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING OF AREA - ORONO STAFF A) GENERAL LAND USE ISSUES The site is located in a LR -1C single family 1/2 acre minimum Lakeshore zoning area. There is B -1 commercial zoning on two sides of the property. This zoning allows for most types of business uses. B -4 is for professional and business office, B -3 for shopping center, and LR- I B for one acre single family residential. B) SPECIFIC ZONING ISSUES FOR NAVARRE SITE Mabusth reported that the shelter cannot receive a land -use variance. The zoning would need to be changed in one of these zones to allow this use. The church was given a conditional -use permit. The options are to change the LRL -1C residential zoning to allow a shelter as a conditional -use or re -zone to commercial and receive a conditional -use permit in a commercial zone. The problem with this is if the shelter were to dissolve, what would happen with the zoning. Mabusth reported that the Planning Commission is leaning towards a possible conditional - use permit within a residential zone, LR -IC, to allow a shelter. There are parking concerns, especially with the need for service trucks in and out of the area. The Planning Commission is agreeable with this site because of the proximity to public transportation, S* MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD availability of sewer, convenient location and accessibility, a large site for this use, and the location being on a major road so as not to require any access through a residential area. The shelter will have to meet certain limits and criteria which have not yet been determined. A public hearing will also be required. The Planning Commission will need to ask the Council to direct them to make a zoning amendment. Standards for the shelter would then be made. Exhibits G -H list the permitted uses in residential and commercial areas. Schroeder reported that a conditional -use permit would be the vehicle for the shelter if it is done. Gaffron has looked at other cities and their zoning laws. Most cities do not have codes allowing for a shelter until a shelter is established. ( #5) PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Phyllis O'Malley of Kelly Avenue addressed the safety issue. She voiced concern over the lack of a fence for the area and more traffic being brought into the area because of the closure of Old Beach Road. Hessburg answered that the site is two acres. A large fenced -in area will be created for children. Schroeder added that performance standards would be made in regard to the safety of children. Jackie Meyer of Mound said she was a friend of Westonka Intervention and has visited five shelters in Minnesota, Harriet Tubman, Plymouth shelter, Sojourner in Minnetonka, and two in St. Paul. Only one of these shelters had a vacancy. She also noted that the shelters were not fenced around but had fenced in areas. There were strict code and an • intercom and a security system in place. Children were not allowed to go in and out and MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD were under the watch of volunteers. A form was filled out if a child was taken out by someone other than their mother. Richard Meyers of 2195 Bayview, Orono, ask if adolescents were handled in the same manner as younger children. Hessburg said that policies and guidelines were in place for each group of children. When victims and children come to a shelter, they must follow the policies or would be removed from the shelter. Schroeder said that one of the questions the Commission looked at were calls to the police department regarding problems at a shelter. Of the 30 -40 calls, the vast majority were for parking problems, alarms, and keys locked in cars. There were no serious problems associated with the calls. 0 Greg Sichender a Westonka Intervention board member, reported that adolescent boys are not allowed or a limited number are allowed at the Minnetonka shelter to eliminate such behavorial problems. Schroeder asked Hessburg if adolescent boys were limited but Hessburg did not know. Peterson said there was the need for safety but people should realize that not all of the victims even have children. Hessburg said that there has never been any violence in regard to a police call in Minnesota. Sojourner had one call regarding a batterer possibly coming to the shelter but this never materialized. Batterers run the whole gamut of social - economic class and are people you see every day. The victim would be under court protection, and the last place the batterer would want to be would be at the shelter to cause himself more problems. Val Hessburg reported researching police department calls. Home Free Shelter in Plymouth had 2 calls in 1992, 1 call in 1993, and no calls from January through May of 1994. CJ MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMIVIISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD Richard Meyers was concerned with calls to other parts of the community related to the shelter. Meyer was not worried about in- facility but outside- facility problems saying statistics show that problems don't come as a result of the shelter itself. Hessburg reported that when a victim is unable to be in a shelter, the violence will be seen out on the road, at the store, etc. If the victim is in the shelter, the violence will not be there. Peterson said that a batterer knows where friends and family are located to find the victim but if at the shelter, they won't go there. Ray Pasch of 3300 Navarre Lane, was concerned when the victims are out in the neighborhood going to the bus, the store, etc. Children are restricted to the site but what about the victim. He wondered if the batterer would be watching and waiting for the victim and incidents would then occur. Hessbur g Y said b that time the victim is under court protection, and any occurrence of violence would result in actual jail time, which is a deterrent to anything happening. Schroeder said the concern was if the shelter would attract an undesirable concentration of people. Pasch also asked about the location and drawing additional traffic through the area and not through the residential streets but by Co Rds 15 and 19 only. He asked if the access to the facility would be from the county roads only and what about the side vacated road. Hessburg said the victim would be brought to the shelter by an advocate and stay about 17 -19 days. The traffic would be greater from the staff personnel. If a victim is working, they would use the parking lot. The lower level area would also create traffic with service trucks. MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD Meyers asked if the access road would be deadended so the road would not go through the neighborhood. The Planning Commissioners thought that all access would be from the county road but will look at this issue. Meyers also asked about the turnaway rate. If it is 60% and there has never been a victim able to enter Sojourner or Home Free, could the area people get turned away from this shelter if it is filled. He was concerned with the shelter being generally filled with people from other areas. Hessburg said that people could call to see on space available. If there was an opening, it would be filled with people from our area but others would not be turned away because they were not from this area. Meyer asked then if there would be no guarantee of a bed available. Hessburg said that the shelter would be filled on a first- come, first -served basis. The shelter would be operated b Westonka advocates and p y would make it available for local people if beds were open. Schroeder said that you cannot guarantee a bed, and the shelter would serve a bigger area than Orono. Meyers asked if the shelter would be expanded with the expansion of the service area. Schroeder said this would be addressed in the conditional -use permit. Performance standards would be set. This shelter is limited to 20 beds, and the Commission is not anticipating other shelters. Once a CUP is passed, other shelters are conceivable in the area but performance standards would limit where this would happen. At present, there are no expectations of any larger facility than stated. Hessburg said this structure is limited in size and there are budget constraints. Peterson reported that he has worked for ten years at the Simpson House located at Lake St. and Lyndale Ave. in Minneapolis. Half of the people using the shelter at any given time are not from our state but are not 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD turned away. Peterson said to keep in mind that there are only 25 shelters in the whole state. Dee Smith of Corcoran who has also resided in Mound, is a volunteer at Harriet Tubman Shelter and an advocate of Westonka, as well as a previouslybattered person. She reported that the mothers are given slot of responsiblity while at the shelter. They are given a curfew, must sign in and out, and given specific instructions to live by. She is in favor of all communities having a shelter. Smith said some women who come are terrified while others just need to get away from a situation and are hurting people who need help and are not there to bring more violence to the area. Phyllis O'Malley asked if the side road was vacated. Gaffron said it was not technically vacated, just barricaded, and is a city dedicated road. Eldon Frieze of Navarre asked for a clarification of the location for the children's play area, the parking lot, and if any expansion of the lot was expected. Hessburg said the architect will look at where the best location is for the play area. A possibility is the northwest section of the back side near the walk -out area. There are no state requirements on play areas but would be licensed through the state. Schroeder said the Commission looked at what standards there were from different entities but found that there are no specific laws governing shelters; but because of state funding, there would be guidelines to be followed. Hessburg said a consultant, who is familiar with the guidelines, has been hired to aide the shelter in meeting the guidelines. Schroeder said the Planning Commission would look at all areas, such as like lights, and require that there be no glare w MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD in the neighborhood, etc. The kitchen operation would have a per -diem license. Hennepin County requires a license. There are also fire codes, etc. to follow. Hessburg said the architect specializes in reconstructions of schools and institutions and is familiar with the guidelines. Schroeder read a letter from John O'Sullivan, owner of O'Sullivan's. He sees problems with having a shelter at this location and prefers rezoning the area for professional or business uses. He wrote that the building does not meet zoning codes, and Orono is limited in the number of businesses in the community. It was answered by Schroeder that the site would not be rezoned commercial. An owner would not be permitted to sell the property in the future for a greater value due to rezoning. The site will stay zoned as it is presently. Marilyn Renier, neighbor on Navarre Lane, voiced approval of the shelter. She said the building is standard battered and bruised and needs to be used. Peterson reported that there has been many cases of vandalism reported to the police department. Richard Meyers said he thinks that this is a good commercial area. He asked if anyone has ever come forward to the Planning Commission to try to develop it commercially. Gaflron said there have been calls asking what can be done with the property. People have been informed of the residential zoning code and what can be done in residential areas. Peterson said that this would not scare off a developer from proceeding with a plan. Hessburg said that the property had been for sale for six years, and no purchase 0 agremrsent has been presented contingent on a use. He did not feel that this was a Il MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP • PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD booming commercial area. Schroeder said that there are two commercial areas in Orono, one around the City Hall area and one in Navarre, but have received no application for anything business - related for this site. Mabusth reported that, in 1987, the City invited business owners to discuss development. No initiative resulted from a landowner. Jackie Meyer said that during her visits to shelters, she saw only young children. There were single women too. She felt that women will sometimes stick out a situation until children come along and then face the problem. The playrooms she visited were large and contained toys for young children. She did not see any adolescent problems. Pasch asked the reasons why the Mound site was found not appropriate for the shelter. iHessburg said that after six months in the process, it was determined not to be a good location. He said there were four reasons why the shelter did not work out for the Mound site: 1)council attitude; 2) site itself - monitoring wells and water condition, leaking fuel tanks; 3) neighbor and community opposition; and 4) timeline. The project ran out of time to solve the problems in the time frame allowed by the convent. Schroeder said that this is an emotionally charged issue. Property values should not be affected when standards are set and the shelter operates quietly. Hessburg said that the Sojourner neighborhood found that their fears of lowered property values were unfounded. Hessburg said the condition of the building on the Navarre site is deteriorating rapidly. Schroeder feels that a residential area is not appropriate for a shelter but this location is good. He feels the shelter will be used by Orono residents but will be • filled by the larger community. lei MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 . PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD Diane Carlson, on Casco, said that the neighborhood would benefit from the counseling services provided by the project, without using the beds available, once they know that they may call for this service. She said she, along with several neighbors, are in favor of the shelter. Schroeder reported that the Commissioners do not take changing codes and uses lightly. He feels that the site is good and would be an improvement to the neighborhood. A neighbor reported that he did not know this issue was being discussed until the last moment. He felt that more of the public would come to the next meeting. Mabusth said . that the notice was posted in the post office. The work session is an assignment to stud p P g Y an issue. All three of the prior work sessions on 1/6, 1/20, and 2/21, were posted. There have been neighbors present at the meetings. This session was opened to a larger segment due to the information now gathered. Schroeder said that the Planning Commission went one step farther than needed by sending letters out to the neighbors. The next step in the process would be to make a recommendation to the Council to send the issue back to the Planning Commission to review all the information and have a public hearing for the conditional -use permit. The above - mentioned neighbor asked that the work sessions be advertised also in the legal paper of the community. Schroeder agreed that appropriate notification of the public was important. Gene Scanlon of Casco Point reported having been at the Mound hearing of the Lady of 0 the Convent shelter proposal. He said that the Mound Police Chief had alot of 1 3 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 • PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD information on shelters and police calls. Hessburg said that the chief did give alot of information on repeat calls. He reported how well the system can work when the police, shelter, and intervention projects work together. Hessburg said that Judge Davidson will contact the Orono Chief and others for a day forum of professionals who work with these problems and how they can be served. Scanlon reported on hearing the statistic that 85% of students at Mound High School have either experienced or know someone who has experienced domestic abuse in the home. Schroeder said that the shelter was an appropriate response to the domestic violence in society. Peterson said that Judge Davidson had asked where the church was in these situations. The churches seem to refer the problems back to the family. Berg reported • that Interfaith of Wayzata receives about five calls weekly from people looking for help with domestic abuse. Schroeder feels the Orono Police Department would welcome working with a group like this. O'Malley asked if all notices were in the Pioneer paper, which they are. Pasch asked if the parking lot would be expanded if the shelter was given approval. Looking at the topographical maps, Pasch noted that the land falls off in grade and asked if hardcover and drainage issues had been discussed. Schroeder reported that these issues have not been discussed but will be. Mabusth reported on the on -going process for the application. If the application is • recommended to go to the Council, the Council will deliberate and Staff will be directed to lq IyIINUTE§, QF TPE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEJETIIG HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORPV XiIO'N MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP • PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD • place the application on the agenda of the Planning Commission. The notification will again be sent to the 205 neighborhood people. The application will then be sent to the Planning Commission for review. ( #6) PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL - DISCUSSION OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS Schroeder asked for comments from each member of the Commission. They are as follows: Peterson said he struggled with the statistics shown by the Orono Police Department. Lt. Cheswick was resent at meetings and was questioned about the need for a shelter and p g q related police calls. The records show that over the last several years, only one hotel voucher has been given out. No one had been taken to a shelter. The lieutenant had reported having had taken women to shelters in Plymouth and Minnetonka and had counseled women. The lieutenant did feel that a shelter would be used. Peterson voiced his approval of the shelter. Rowlette was impressed with the Orono Police Department but felt women were left to their own devices. If a shelter was in Orono, it would save police time. There are no officers trained in handling domestic abuse situations. Rowlette feels the location is good. She liked the idea that the site could serve children from.three school districts, Rowlette felt the shelter was needed. 1� MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP • PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD Berg reported having had experience with Cornerstone Shelter in Richfield. She feels that domestic abuse is a closed -door problem. The site is excellent. She lives nearby and is okay with it. Nolan said he was originally concerned with possible violence. He felt that violence must be connected with it, but he now feels this is not true. He said that a situation must be bad if police are called. He feels the location is appropriate for the greater Minnetonka area. He feels site planning can solve any problems associated with the building. Lindquist concurred with other commission members. He reported that Judge Davidson was present at a meeting and said the courts were working with abuse centers. Batterers were being held in jail until coming in front of the judge. He feels the location is good, and it is the responsibility of the community to have a shelter. Smith reported that it was very difficult to rely on the statistics available. The police department had little information and found it very confusing. She said performance standards have been set for the shelters in Minnetonka and Plymouth. The Planning Commission would be setting criteria for the facility use and the parking lot and answer the concern about vehicles coming and going. She supports the project and residential zoning with conditional use. She feels there is no need for rezoning commercial. Schroeder moved, Smith seconded, to recommend asking the Council to permit the Planning Commission to look at reviewing the zone with respect to a shelter of this type as • MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1995 PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING - FOURTH WORKSHOP PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE TO ALLOW DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2380 SHADYWOOD ROAD a conditional use permit. Staff will look at controls and performance standards for proceeding and report back to the Planning Commission. Ayes 7, Nays 0. The public is invited to attend the Council meeting, formal Planning Commission meeting, and public hearings for the formal recommendation to the Council to change LRl C code for this use. Smith invited the public to write letters expressing their opinions. Schroeder reported that the Council ultimately makes the decision on the CUP for the shelter. Mabusth reported that the public may make comments which will be part of the official record for the Council. Richard Meyer asked if this shelter would require park dedication fees. Schroeder iindicated it would not since it is not a subdivision. The nearby park was reported as needing updating. • ( #7) ADJOURNMENT Rowlette moved, Lindquist seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Charles Schroeder, Chair Person I-7