11-12-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, October 21, 2019 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 8 Bollis indicated he agrees with Staff. Bollis asked if anyone sees a benefit going away for the City to be able to continue that access down to Orono Orchard Road. Thiesse noted there is a fairly steep embankment and a number of trees. Barnhart stated engineering staff has not looked into that as a serious turnaround at this point, but that Staff could come back with some preliminary information from the city engineer about any issues that he observes. Libby asked where the access is currently to the trail. Barnhart pointed out the informal path on the overhead, noting that it comes off of Orono Orchard Road South and then cuts into an open area. Libby stated it is essentially an open access for anyone that could walk in. Barnhart stated he believes there might be a number of informal access points and there are some opportunities to make a better access. Ressler asked if the access is out of kindness right now rather than obligation. Barnhart stated it historically has been the access point and that the property owners recognize the City’s goals in terms of access, and they would like to maintain that. Libby stated the willingness of the applicant to agree with Staff’s proposed conditions, which all seem pretty reasonable, leads him to agree with the need for those but that he needs to look at it on a plan. Libby stated he is aware of the fact that in Orono there was a cul-de-sac that existed for 50 years on a plan and the City actually had a right-of-way to extend the cul-de-sac for additional development. The safety issues that were brought up tonight, a lot of those were dramatically reduced with the cul-de-sac. Erickson commented Staff has done an excellent job of outlining the issues and proposing the necessary items to help meet the City’s requirements to create a larger development that specifically shows a cul-de- sac and a trail easement needs to be done. The cul-de-sac will be a long-term benefit to the neighborhood and would eliminate people backing up into people’s driveways. Erickson stated his question would be, if the City concurs that a more specific plan is its goal, could the Planning Commission give conceptual blessing to the process and move it on to the City Council. Barnhart stated the Planning Commission can either approve it with the conditions recommended by Staff, deny it, or table the application to allow the applicant time to illustrate those items on a formal plan for further review by the Planning Commission. Thiesse noted the Planning Commission could deny it and the applicant could add it to a plan prior to the City Council meeting. Ressler asked if there is direct access to the trail without crossing Mr. Bonnett’s property currently.