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 offered to write a letter because they feel it is a nightmare living there. Two of the three most affected property owners also support the plan, other than Whiteleys. He mentioned that people at the last meeting stated there was no extra traffic from 6 Smith. He relayed a story about a former resident who was outside when a convertible stopped to ask directions to 6 Smith, hit some potholes that were filled with rainwater from a construction project on Smith, and splashed all the occupants. He said the public safety solution is good for the people; it has nothing to do with the path access. He repeated there are five access points and six after this, which is as many people who do not live on the street who do not support the plan. He encouraged property owners who have path access to approach the City and ask for a permanent easement if they wished to do so. He is more than willing to work with the City. There are eight people who have lived on the street and dealt with the issues who support the plan. The arguments are great but it doesn't hold water when you talk about all the people who have direct access to the Luce Line but they must use his path, a lot of whom do not live in the neighborhood. Mr. Bonnett understands a vacation is common in this type of circumstance, where there is no benefit for the end of that road spur existing. He is giving up land for the cul-de-sac; the City is getting land at the end of the street and does not have to repave that road next year. He believes it is a prudent taxpayer - focused decision. Since 6 Smith has opened, there are 8-10 cars a day going by extremely fast looking at their GPS. They have two small children and he doesn't want to see any accidents happen. They approached the City with the cul-de-sac six years ago; they weren't interested at that point. He wants to get something done on the issue and not kick the can down the road. The issue is, if the path went directly through their property and they want to put a garage there, which is why they're getting more property, so the garage can have water, they want 4.1 acres to get an accessory dwelling unit, they would be hamstrung, or if they would want to move the house on the lot. Mr. Bonnett is reluctant to say, "Let's plow it through direct access" because nobody else in the neighborhood has done it. He understands at the end of the street it touches DNR property and Xcel Energy property and then it goes to the Luce Line. The path has been across private property for 20 years, it's never been an issue, and it's not going to be an issue in the future. He gave names of several people he called or emailed before the meeting to let them know they could use the path. After tonight's meeting they'll be able to use the path no matter what happens. If he builds a barn in the middle of an easement, he would want Luce Line access and would create it at that point across his property for people to use, but running a permanent easement through it clouds the process of solving the issue at the end of the street. He thanked the Council and hopes something can be done tonight. Ms. Stacey Quinn, 125 Smith, said 6 Smith did open and T.J. mentioned a lot of names, but he did not mention her or her husband's names, nor did he speak to them about the potential cul-de-sac. They are not opposed to a cul-de-sac at the end of the street. It is a busy street, and redevelopment/more homes at the end of the street would make it busier. It is a dead-end/short street and T.J. wants to make it shorter. It's a worn path because it's on Smith Avenue. The reason they purchased their home 12 years ago is so they had direct access to the Luce Line which they use quite a bit and have had no issues for several years. The path did cut into a little corner of T.J.'s property; it is very far from the front of his property. They were never asked not to take that path. The path was groomed by the previous homeowner, it used to be very well taken care of, because the neighborhood uses it and will continue to use it. She is opposed to the vacation being granted. She doesn't know what a hammerhead or City easement would look like: how big, how long, how wide. She is very disheartened this is happening in her neighborhood from a neighbor that never approached them, and he cannot get to his home unless he crosses by her home. There is no way 8- 9 people are lost going to 6 Smith. You cannot go 50 miles an hour down the street, especially now, because the street is in complete disrepair. She is requesting a cul-de-sac at the end of the street, access on Page 6 of 17