07-02-2018 Park Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, May 29, 2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. 16. EAST LONG LAKE ROAD DISPOSITION — DISCUSSION — Continued Fred Polacky, 1020 Old Long Lake Road, stated he is here to support Option B as the most environmentally sensible and cost-effective solution. Polacky indicated he has walked and driven on the road and at times when you come around a curve another car will be coming at you in the wrong lane because they are swerving potholes. In addition, closing off the north section would be a good option to help preserve the wetland and the water quality of Long Lake. Polacky stated at 324 cars per day, that is less than two cars per hour and Ferndale and Brown Road are equally useful to get around town. Polacky stated in his opinion Option B affords the most benefit to the community. Bill Dunlap, 951 Spring Hill Road, stated he has resided at his property since 1981 and that he has always envisioned the road as being a bike or walking trail. Dunlap commented it is a very beautiful area and that he supports Option B. Dunlap stated in his view $1.3 million is on the low side and the actual cost would be a lot higher. Dunlap stated the City Council should also consider the safety aspects of the road given the speed of the vehicles. The road also serves primarily as a shortcut to get to Medina and the majority of the vehicles on the road are not Orono residents. In addition, the environmental impacts need to be considered and there might be an opportunity to obtain some private donations to make it a bike/walking trail. Norm Hamman, 450 East Long Lake Road, stated their property is located directly across the street from Summit Beach and was purchased in 1966. Hamman noted he agrees with the comments made so far and that he and his family are supportive of Option B. Hamman read the following statement: "The Hamman family would like to provide the following comments regarding the disposition of the northerly section of East Long Lake Road in Orono: Our family has lived at 450 East Long Lake Road for more than 50 years. In addition to the cost considerations regarding the reconstruction of the roadway, we also have serious concerns regarding the safety of this road. Cars oftentimes travel at unsafe speeds and it can be dangerous when two cars meet each other on this narrow stretch of road. There's really no margin for error when two cars are passing each other, and also there is no space or shoulder for pedestrian traffic as well. The situation can be further made more complicated or serious when people are exiting from the Summit Park Beach onto East Long Lake Road as there is restricted visibility when exiting the park. In addition to the above-mentioned items, we encourage the City Staff to confirm whether or not there are existing easements for this road. A title search regarding our property conducted several years ago revealed that no easement for the road exists relative to our property at that point in time. Based on the costs and the other information as mentioned above, we would like to see the road closed north of 550 East Long Lake Road and we do support course of action B." Mrs. John Winston, 765 Spring Hill Road, stated she has lived on that property except for a few years since 1942. Winston commented she is sad the road cannot be what it used to be and that over the past few years the road has been allowed to deteriorate. Winston stated she is against making it into a super highway because of the speed of the cars that travel down it currently, which would make it more dangerous. Winston stated her first option would be to have it the way it used to be or else make it a trail. Winston stated she is not sure if it is possible to make the road a one-way, but that might be one option. Page 4 of 11