01-28-1991 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD JANUARY 28, 1991 STREET CONVERSION ORDINANCE CONTINUED for 1 /6t.h of the road when he purchased his lot and felt that some compensation would be due. Bernhardson e::plained that in the normal subdivision process, the subdivider pays for all public improvements, such as sewer, water, and roads. He said, "Once the subdivision is completed and the improvements are installed, those are then dedicated to the City. In this case, there is no municipal water or sewer. At the time Mr. Wear's subdivision was completed, the road was to remain private, but the City was granted a public road easement for future use. The City is exercising rights that were given to it and no compensation is due." Cities traditionally do not bear the cost of providing roads to new developments." Jabbour stated that he was sensitive to Mr. Wear's comments about his rights being violated and wanted to clarify some questions he had. He asked whether any subdivisions could exist without an access road to serve it. Bernhardson replied, "That is correct. The City's Code would not permit that many lots to be subdivided without a road to serve it." Jabbour asked, The City requires these roads to be constructed to City standards, isn't that correct? If the City had constructed the road, rather than Mr. Wear, wouldn't it have assessed the cost of construction back to Mr. Wear ?" Bernhardson replied, "That is correct. The City's private road standards are equivalent to the standards for public roads." Jabbour asked if it is the City's philosophy to require the road easement to avoid the possibility of creating landlocked properties. Bernhardson replied, "The City's philosophy is that private roads be constructed in subdivisions that occur in rural areas. In each of those subdivisions, whether there are two or twenty lots, the City has always taken a public road easement for the future possibility of acquiring the road. The Comprehensive Plan states that private roars should only serve a maximum of ten lots. It is the City's expectation, given the property in this area, that there will be more than ten lots when it is completely developed. The City is attempting to serve this area with one road, rather than having a several small driveways serving long, narrow properties. We are attempting to consolidate the transportation needs away from direct access onto Old Crystal Bay Road." Jabbour stated that there could be a worse case scenario for - 17 -