Following an emotional meeting, the Orono City Council Monday night delayed voting on a permanent permit that would allow an eating disorder clinic to set up operations in a former private school near Lake Minnetonka.
Instead, the council asked its staff to look into granting the program an Interim Use Permit (IUP) and bring back a report in two weeks.
Council members said they were concerned about what could happen at the site and nearby locations in future years if a medical facility is allowed to open in the neighborhood.
The interim permit would allow the Emily Program clinic to operate, but would return the former school property to its previous zoning if the program leaves the school site.
"I think we're going to ask our attorney ... to focus on the IUP," said Mayor Jim White.
"I would welcome some more time," said Council Member Jim Murphy. "This is a terrible struggle between my heart and my head, but I do believe it is about the use of the land."
Numerous residents, including about 100 who attended Monday's council meeting, have debated the proposed facility in meetings and occasionally testy exchanges during the past few months.
Opponents have argued that if the clinic is approved, the traffic and emergency vehicles that could come through the area would pose a nuisance or a danger, especially to children playing in the area.
