11-18-1996 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 18, 1996 •( #lA - #2197 John O'Sullivan and North Central CBA - Continued) Hawn responded to the lack of pedestrian use of Navarre Lane up to this point. She noted that with the building of Culver's and the other improvements, there will be a new destination to which people will travel changing the old traffic patterns. With the intense use and new traffic generated from an untended direction, Hawn said she would like to see the access developed through the middle via Navarre Lane. Stoddard indicated his support for the vacation and being amiable to allowing an easement. He would like to see the Engineer review the site and designate the best placement of the trail. He also asked to hear from the Park Commission. John Ericson, 1620 Shadywood, stated he would like to see a trail come through Navarre Lane. He did not feel it had to be wide but of a reasonable width to allow walking and bicycle riding. He felt an easement was a viable option. Park Commissioner McDermott said the housing in the area does not address all of the people who would be affected by a trail. He noted the sidewalk along CoRd 15 towards Minnetonka Beach would be a draw for people to the area. He feels it would be safer to come up around and down Navarre Lane to CoRds 19 and 15. He indicated if Navarre Lane were to be vacated, a portion of it would go to the Lafayette Ridge Homeowners • Association for their use or disposal. He noted that another possibility if the vacation did not occur would be to swing the trail over to allow the pond to expand. McDermott reported that the Olive Avenue trail is shown in the center of Olive Avenue, which he said is narrow and in poor condition. He did note that people could access the park if the trail went along Olive but pedestrian and bikes would tend to cross without the aid of a traffic light which he did not favor. He saw the use of Navarre Lane as less hazardous. McDermott said he was unaware of the possibility of recessing the trail but thought it may be a good concept. McDermott said the Park Commission would like to see the access maintained and is in favor of the center access for a trail along Navarre Lane. O'Sullivan referred to a comment made to him by his contractor, Rob Thompson, of the Navarre Lane trail would make too much of a thoroughfare. O'Sullivan does not believe it would be heavily used. He suggested the possibility of a pedestrian staircase at the back of the parking lot along with the use of a trail along Olive Avenue. Stoddard responded that the Engineer would have to review the needs for a handicap access. Thompson questioned if such a trail could meet the code. Gaffron noted if the required slopes were 1:10 or 1:20, it would be difficult. O'Sullivan indicated there were alot of unanswered questions. He asked that a vote be taken for the vacation with the qualification of a trail. Lindquist said he understood the time constraints but would like to hear from the Park Commission regarding a partial vacation. He questioned if the vacation was completed, what would happen to the portion • designated to the Lafayette Ridge neighborhood.