12-09-2019 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,December 9,2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. Bonnetts on what land they should or shouldn't get, how wide the easement should or shouldn't be, and the neighbors don't get all up in arms like they are. He felt that was a much cleaner, more efficient way to handle the issue. He said the City needs to take the path that exists that's overgrown and turn it into a walkable trail. He walked the area recently and that trail did not seem that wild or steep, unless he wasn't looking in the right place. He said if he is on Smith and looked straight north going to the Luce Line, there's brush and trees,but it doesn't seem incredibly steep. He suggested the City look at the option of building a hammerhead,plowing the trail that already exists,take all the negotiation off the table and not ask the Bonnetts to do certain things, not ask to get the neighbors involved in different ways. Mr. Merritt Jackley, 80 Smith Avenue, said he and his wife noticed that the road planned is 20 feet wide, which is wider than Smith Avenue right now, and wondered if that was correct and part of the plan. Barnhart said that is what the applicant shows on their plan. He does not have a final plan for Smith Avenue; that plan will be done this spring. Mr.Jackley said he is happy to see on this plan there is trail access from the proposed cul-de-sac to the Luce Line. The 20 feet would be great and helpful. He is confused as to why the cul-de-sac is not at the end of the road. A number of times in meetings there was clear direction that the cul-de-sac would be at the end of Smith Avenue, or try to be there. He realizes there might be some other considerations, but he thought he heard Barnhart say there should be no problem moving that back. He stressed the project be overseen by the Orono City Council or a neutral party. A number of neighbors have made it clear that getting trail access and having a cul-de-sac at the end of Smith Avenue is what they want. The Bonnetts' plan has been inching there but it's taking a lot of time. Ms. Angie Hopping, 95 Smith, asked will the remaining part of Smith get widened if a cul-de-sac is put in. Barnhart said the Council is talking about adding an area for a cul-de-sac. In terms of the pavement width of Smith,that is an independent project. Walsh said they are not looking to widen Smith when the road is redone. It's going to be in the same corridor that it is now, even if there is a cul-de-sac. Ms. Hopping said she is concerned about an equitable exchange and does not feel that giving up that much City property to one resident is fair to City residents. She asked what the value would go up to once he gets the extra property and is that fair to everybody, setting a precedence of giving away land. Even if nobody is using it, it is still wild property and kind of makes a buffer for the Luce Line. She said Orono prides themselves in their parks,their natural land, and she does not think giving the land up is a good idea. She also does not think it is a good idea to have a permanent easement through someone's private property. She thinks it is better, liability-wise, for the Bonnetts to have the City trail go to the City street and then to the Luce Line so residents are not going through Bonnetts' property. She would feel more comfortable staying on City property and she thinks that would be beneficial to everybody. She is not against the cul-de-sac going to the end of Smith Avenue. She agrees with having the City property to the trail to the Luce Line. She said most of the vehicles going down to the end of the road are delivery vehicles, Bonnetts' vehicles, or his renters' vehicles. There are no more 6Smith people going down there. It is not a very busy road to begin with, and she does not see a huge need for putting all the time and money into the cul-de-sac. Page 15 of 34