01-21-2020 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, November 18, 2019 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 23 of 46 Erickson referenced a map which showed the immediate area of West Arm, and asked if the red arrows indicate ones currently available and the black arrows indicate ones that were vacated. Curtis confirmed Erickson's statement as correct, that she found three had been vacated and she included the supporting vacation documents in the packet. Erickson stated he tried to reconcile the map with part 4A of the Transportation plan, which lists the various lake accesses on Lake Minnetonka. He looked under West Arm Bay, and they are listed numerically, adding that the smallest number is 27 and the biggest number is 35. He was trying to match up the arrows on the map with the chart and the guide plan under the 4A Transportation heading. Number 27 seems to be off the edge of the map to the left. Curtis stated it is under the boundary line of the City, and indicated the area on a map. Erickson indicated that was off to the left side. Curtis indicated the area and stated it's a PID. She indicated it's a right-of-way for drainage, it's very steep, and it is under the dotted line on the map. Curtis answered questions of the Commission relating to the map and Transportation plan and dates of easement vacations. Ms. Melissa Musgjerd, 4156 Highwood Road, said she is present on behalf of her husband, Scott, and their neighbors, Douglas and Roban Smith, who live in Florida during the winter so they were unable to attend. She said their goal is ultimately to be granted this vacation because they have more improvements they would like to do to their house. This piece of property is something they and the Smiths have asked for numerous times and it has come to their attention that maybe this time could be the time. Ms. Musgjerd stated they've requested the help of Bill Griffith today to facilitate with the process. Their goal is to improve the neighborhood -- it's a very congested street, there's no parking other than what is available in driveways -- and to take care of the continued erosion problems they have with their home and the piece of property next to them. They want to work with everybody to keep everybody happy. Mr. Bill Griffith, representing the property owners on either side of the alleyway, said he feels this is an opportunity for both the public and private interests because the alleyway shows up on a 1909 plat so it's 110 years old. It's a very steep slope; it's not really a good public access. Until a City activates a right-of- way, it doesn't necessarily become a public access. You need improvements to make a public access. There are better locations on the lake, including about 600 feet from the location, which has more gradual slopes, less shrubbery and trees. What the applicants are hoping to accomplish with this vacation is to open up this right-of-way for use by the adjoining property owners and also to provide the necessary public Easements to continue to serve the improvements that are on the property, the storm sewer. Curtis indicated this property has a sanitary sewer.