11-18-2019 Planning Commission Packet

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From: whaleblazers. To: Melanie Curtis Cc: Mom; Brett;lay;tialLQ Subject: Re: RN:LA19-000086/dock request for 580 Big Island Date: Thursday,November 14,2019 10:26:25 PM To Whom it May Concern: My name is Eric Adams and I am writing on behalf of my family, which has owned the property at 600 Big Island since 1977. We are writing to oppose the permit application for the city of Orono to grant a private dock on the public right-of-way between 600 and 570 Big Island. It is important to note that having a clear right-of-way serves an important access point for the public, all property owners on Big Island as well as emergency, utility and construction crews. Setting up a private dock would infringe upon the rights of all of the above parties. We are also writing with an alternative solution to provide lake access for the property owners of 580 Big Island. We oppose granting the permit for the following reasons: • The right-of-way provides critical access to the point of entry for power lines which serve all the residents of Big Island. By building a private dock, utility crews would lose their public access to work on the lines especially when repairs are needed due to branches falling on power lines after storms. • The right-of-way is used byproperty owners to bring construction vehicles to the island by barge. Having a dock on the right-of-way would prevent the ability of a barge to land on the beach and deliver construction equipment. • Having a dock would also prevent a barge from bringing emergency vehiclesand firefighters in the event of a fire on the island, which has happened in the past. • The right-of-way sits in a primary drainage area of Big Island. Construction of a dock will disrupt the flow of water from the island into the lake and disturb the sensitive wetland ecosystem nearby. • A private dock will impact vegetation around the drainage, which will increase erosion and impact water quality as runoff drains into the lake. • Allowing a private dock would block the public from being able to land their watercraft and access Pleasant View Park on Big Island. Living on the island creates a unique living environment, one that our family has cherished for over 40 years. However, the uniqueness of the island also forces the necessity to create modifications to regulations when necessary. An example of this is a shared septic system our property has with the property for sale, or the well system we share with our neighbor. Not ideal circumstances, but we worked together as neighbors to come up with the best possible solution for all parties. Our island community works very hard to maintain cordiality and work cohesively to support each other. It is important for the City of Orono to consider the uniqueness of property owners on Big Island to ensure we can continue to foster our small community in a highly interrelated system.