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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, October 21, 2019 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Barnhart stated the biggest issue Staff has is that those three items be illustrated on a plan. <br />TJ Bonnett, 40 and 45 Smith Avenue, noted there have been some emails circulating in the neighborhood <br />that might have conveyed the wrong impression of what is being proposed and that he is not here to block <br />anyone's access to the Luce Line. There are five access points along Smith and Lyman to the Luce Line <br />currently. If this vacation happens, there will still be five access points, and that he wants it clear where <br />the permanent easement will be. Bonnett indicated he is not sure where the future lot lines would be, <br />which is why it is not depicted on the plan. <br />When people use their GPS to find the restaurant, it unfortunately shows it located at the end of Smith <br />Avenue. As a result, a number of cars will come down the road every weekend, which creates an unsafe <br />condition for any children in the area. Bonnett stated he has attempted to address it with City officials at <br />other times, and with the improvements to the road, the City would save a lot of money by not paving that <br />area of the road. <br />Mr. Griffith is here to help navigate what happens with the street and to do the necessary paperwork. <br />They do not view this as some type of contested issue and in their view it would be a good solution for <br />the neighborhood and provide some safety. The last thing they want to see is an accident happen. <br />Bonnett indicated he has no plans to build on the vacated property except for perhaps a garage, which will <br />not occur for at least five years, and that he hopes this is a good solution and a good time to address this <br />road. <br />Ressler asked if there is any reason why he would not be agreeable to providing an easement as proposed <br />versus the alternative. <br />Bonnett stated they are agreeable to that but the property line might move. <br />Barnhart stated Staffs issue is not with where the easement is as long as access is protected, but the <br />bigger issue is the creation of a cul-de-sac. The location of an easement for trails has some potential to <br />not match, which is why Staff would like to see it on a plan so it is clearly defined. <br />Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 6:50 p.m. <br />Stacy Quinn, 125 Smith Avenue, noted they did write a letter in opposition of this vacation. Quinn <br />indicated she is a Libertarian and she believes in the four-way test. The four-way test is: Is it is the truth, <br />is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendships, and will it be beneficial to all <br />concerned. Being one of the first two homes on Smith Avenue, she has seen maybe two people who have <br />been lost looking for 6 Smith. <br />Quinn stated they purchased on Smith because they have access to the Luce Line off of Smith, which is a <br />safe way to access the Luce Line. There is no formal plan in place, and she has not been approached by <br />Mr. Bonnett until yesterday when she received an e-mail from him. <br />Gettman asked whether a cul-de-sac would be an improvement in her mind. <br />Quinn indicated she would like to see the plans and know what it looks like. Based on what is being said <br />tonight, it is still up in the air as to what it is going to look like as well as the access to the Luce Line. <br />Have heard of lot of maybe's but nothing in concrete. <br />Page 3 of 20 <br />