11-12-2019 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday,November 12,2019 6:00 o'clock p.m. parallel to the Luce Line than shortening the street and eliminating the direct access to Luce Line Trail and the DNR property. Mayor Walsh closed the public comment section at 6:52 p.m. Printup thought this winter neighbors might get together and make sure there's some sort of footpath on public property so private property is not touched, nor should it be. The cul-de-sac would be nice and convenient in timing because of the upcoming road project. He said the City could also repave it and leave things as-is and then designate the path going to the Luce Line on City property and there is no private property affected. He would deny the proposal as presented until a plan is brought up to grant the public access to the Luce Line Trail. From a bureaucratic standpoint it sounds kind of small because it should be about vacations and roadways and road improvements,but he is okay with not having a hammerhead or cul-de-sac and leaving the road the way it is after it gets paved. His two takes are to either leave it alone and dedicate a path, or do some sort of improvement but have a dedicated path. Walsh stated the goal for the City is to do the best long-term solution which, in the end, is a cul-de-sac because it's the best way to turn around,although where the cul-de-sac goes is up for debate.The City has direct access and he did not feel the City would give that up. He also would not approve the plan as presented.An option would be to ask the applicant if they would like to table it and come back with a plan based on comments they've heard,and then everyone could see it on paper and then stake it out. The trail through the Bonnetts' land is a very calm, easygoing trail.It would not be the best solution to go through City land because it is so steep,but it could be done.Not everybody is going to be happy. If the City is going to clean things up,they want to come up with the best solution for the citizens long-term. Crosby said it makes sense to have the cul-de-sac at the end of the road and some type of connection from the end of the cul-de-sac to the trail leading to Luce Line. If the Bonnett property's elevation is better for the path,a swap may be a good idea to make it more accessible. He is not in favor of the proposed plan. He agrees a cul-de-sac is going to be needed,but the question is placement. There is a better place, which is down the road. There should be an equitable land swap to make things better for everybody. The neighbors should work together and the applicant should come up with a better proposal from what he is hearing. It can be a win-win for everybody safety-wise and a permanent access to the trail for everyone. He is not an advocate of the trail going to Orono Orchard. Johnson agreed with the previous comments. It would make sense to him to move the cul-de-sac to the end of the street,which removes any question about people's continued rights to gain access to the trail. Historically,the City has done a good job keeping people's access to parks and trails.There may be an opportunity to vacate some of that once the cul-de-sac is in the right spot.The City needs the property owner's cooperation to put a cul-de-sac there, and there has to be something in it for the property owner. There needs to be a good, usable road;and the City will find a way to continue the access people have come to enjoy. The safety side of it is important as far as emergency vehicles. If it was a new development, a cul-de-sac would be put in. It is also reasonable for citizens to see the final plan before it gets approved, so it needs to be brought before the Council. He noted he does not know if putting the cul- de-sac there would create nonconformity with the required setbacks from the houses. Walsh asked if the applicant would like the Council to vote on the plan as proposed or if he would like it tabled and go back to the drawing board a little bit. Page 10 of 17