11-25-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, November 12, 2019 6:00 o'clock p.m. people speeding. It's the end of the road; people are slowing down. When people back into your driveway it can get frustrating at times but that's what happens when the road is narrow. He thinks a hammerhead would work; a cul-de-sac is not needed. Mr. Merritt Jackley, 80 Smith Avenue, knows there was an issue when people put 6 Smith in Google Maps, that people went to their location; but they have worked with Google Maps and it should now have people going to the restaurant. T.J. gave him verbal approval to use the path for friends and family which he appreciates, but he feels it's in the community's best interests to make it a permanent easement. He agreed with Mayor Walsh's proposal and plan but suggested the plan be put into writing so the citizens can see it and vote and decide from there. Mr. Ash Stoesz, 1170 Lyman Avenue, does not want to stop anyone specifically but referenced the Alamo place and asked, before anything is vacated, the City explore whether that is something that is viable in that if a tree falls over at the end of Smith Avenue, everyone is landlocked in, and to the extent there's an opportunity to evaluate a second point of exit, it would be interesting to think about. Ms. Pam Cariveau, 60 Smith Avenue, does not feel the plan submitted meets the Planning Commission's recommendations, citing lack of an equitable access to Luce Line Trail. The newly proposed easement does not provide access to Luce Line Trail; it provides access to Orono Orchard Road. She feels routing the easement down a steep embankment and onto Orono Orchard is not safe or equitable in comparison to a direct -access path at the end of Smith. Ms. Cariveau noted the City -owned land at the end of Smith Avenue is the nearest and only non -private property access point to the trail in the neighborhood. The next nearest public access point is on Orono Orchard Road, which is not the safest access point. Currently the trail at the end of Smith Avenue has been routed through private property with Private Property signs. There is much public interest in retaining City -owned land at the end of Smith Avenue so everyone can enjoy safe and unfettered access to the Luce Line Trail via City- and DNR -owned land without the need for an easement. Ms. Cariveau stated the DNR has given permission for a simple footpath or a more formal path should the City decide to coordinate with the DNR. The DNR is working to remove trails that cut through private property. Future access points will only be allowed through City and DNR land according to a letter from the DNR. If the City decides a cul-de-sac is inevitable, she suggested an equitable exchange of land with the Bonnetts might be to give them the City land that runs parallels to the Luce Line Trail while maintaining the original length of Smith and the City -owned land to access the trail via DNR land. Ms. Cariveau noted the Bonnett's are asking for 28,750 square feet of land when only 2,600 square feet of land is needed to effectively make a cul-de-sac. If the City vacates the land parallel to the Luce Line Trail, both sides, the Bonnetts will still receive more land in exchange than what is required for a cul-de-sac, which she stated was reasonable. Ms. Alisa Benson, 1220 Lyman, said their family has taken up the sport of geocaching, which is not permitted on private land, the caches must be placed on City or DNR land, so this type of cleaning up prevents that activity. Mr. David Klema, 40 Orono Orchard, stated T.J. has less than 3 acres and the vacation would total .6 acres but referenced Mr. Bonnett's comment about building an accessory dwelling unit that required 4.1 acres and asked how the math comes out if he is under 3 and the total vacation is .6. Walsh stated that would not be part of the decision-making process either way. Page 8 of 17