11-25-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, November 12, 2019 6:00 o'clock p.m. Smith to the Luce Line at the end of the street, and don't make the street shorter. If there is talk of a City easement, she would like to see what it looks like. Mr. Doug Whiteley, 60 Orono Orchard Road, said he has never seen an issue that caused an uproar like this other than a proposal to put a cell tower on the Orono Public Golf Course. There is an overwhelming negative response to the proposal. He thinks a permanent easement from Smith Avenue to Luce Line is a very viable solution, but putting one on Orono Orchard Road would be a tragic mistake. He walks to Luce Line 5-6 times a week with his dog, noting as you walk south around the curve from Woodhill Avenue, there's a straightaway and the Luce Line bridge going south, there is a blind spot and you cannot see cars going around the curve. It is dangerous; there's no shoulder and it is not safe. The topography of the proposed easement from Smith Avenue to Orono Orchard is very steep and makes no sense. He agrees with the previous speaker that the cul-de-sac should be by the dead end. He is not opposed to the cul-de- sac but is opposed to the Smith to Orono Orchard Road proposal. He never spoke to T.J. about swapping land. Mr. Sean Benson, 1220 Lyman Avenue, opposes the plan proposed by the Bonnetts. He referenced the Planning Staff's comment that they could not support the proposal unless, among other requests, there is "an inclusion of a trail easement from Smith to the Luce Line." He said this plan does not include that but is an easement that goes to Orono Orchard Road which does not make sense and is also a safety issue. He referenced an email from Mr. Bonnett which stated, "We will maintain the path that is currently available to all neighbors as invitees. This hopefully should not affect anyone too much. The permanent easement cannot be run directly through our property at this point in time as the property line will change if the vacation is granted." He said the plan appears to allow no direct access from Smith to the Luce Line. However, Mr. Bonnett is indicating neighbors can use the current trail but at his discretion. He does not feel that is an appropriate solution because a future property owner could decide not to allow trail access. He wanted to know if a resident of Orono, who doesn't live in the neighborhood, would be prevented from accessing the Luce Line from Smith Avenue. He believes it is better for the City Council to make an explicit decision about allowing community -wide access from Smith directly to the Luce Line. Mr. Benson also questioned the fundamental equity of this plan and said there's a lot of talk about cleanup as though it is normal that residents get free land, which he feels sets a dangerous precedent. He understands the City would give up .66 acres of land with the vacation and the Bonnetts would give up .06 acres of land for the cul-de-sac, so the Bonnetts would receive .6 acres of land at no cost. He does not think it is a benefit for any residents to receive City land at no cost. It also sets an inappropriate precedent for residents to request similar vacations in the future. He would propose an alternative plan whereby the City would move the cul-de-sac north to the end of Smith Avenue, and that way it would lead directly to the DNR -owned trail that leads to the Luce Line. In return for the cul-de-sac, the City could allow the Bonnetts to receive a similarly sized piece of land, .06 acres or something that is equitable. If the Bonnetts do not want to trade property, the City could consider putting in a hammerhead turnaround which should not require any exchange of land. The residents would get the turnaround, direct access from Smith to the Luce Line, the Bonnetts don't have to contend with people on their property, the City does not have to contend with any permanent easements while addressing safety concerns, and it is fair. Mr. Matt Hopping, 95 Smith Avenue, stated as far as traffic, it's UPS trucks and a few strange cars. The path was supposed to go straight to the Luce Line, not to Orono Orchard. If you walk along the ditch, there are culverts with water and other things. It should go straight at the end and the cul-de-sac should be right where the end of the road is now, or a hammerhead. A turnaround is not needed. People back in the driveways. Repave the road and make the road decent because it is a pretty rough road. He does not see Page 7 of 17