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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,July 19,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> walks her dog down there and it is impossible to actually access the lake.Driving by the other access <br /> points that were pointed out,they are widely used, and she is asking for a rational decision. She said let's <br /> make this rather unattractive,narrow street attractive,and make it easy for vehicles to come turn around <br /> and do the right thing. <br /> Sherry White,3516 Ivy Place, is here to ask the Commission to recommend to the City Council that they <br /> deny the vacation request for this property. The vacation of the lake access will provide no public benefit <br /> and that is the standard the City must adhere to,not whether it is a good idea to have this or not,but rather <br /> is there a public benefit in vacating the property. She noted there is a significant financial benefit to the <br /> Applicant as he assembles property for development, and she finds that disparity very troubling.The lack <br /> of public benefit was stated by the DNR and the Staff recommendation says there is a benefit to having a <br /> cul-de-sac and it would be a great thing to have utility,stormwater,and pedestrian easement—but of <br /> course the City already has those things.That would not be a gain but a clawing back of a loss.There is <br /> public benefit in retaining this property,it is obviously access and they do not know what the future <br /> holds.There is a natural resource value in all undeveloped land. There are letters of support giving <br /> reasons why the cul-de-sac would be a good thing,she buys that,but the blanket statements of support in <br /> those letters with no rationale given is not persuasive.A quick note about pedestrian access, she quoted <br /> from the DNR letter that they would recommend that if the City did vacate,they would retain the right of <br /> the public to travel across the property. That does not say foot traffic. She hopes this will not be vacated <br /> but if it is the City should be very thoughtful in crafting conditions for that,which may include <br /> stormwater and utility easements,access for pedestrians and recreational vehicles,and City or other <br /> government vehicles that may need to access it in the future. She said to require the developer to plant <br /> native vegetation,enter into a maintenance agreement with the City to keep that vegetation going,and <br /> require signage indicating that there is a public access there.These conditions might somewhat ameliorate <br /> the loss of a public property. <br /> Chair Kirchner closed the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. <br /> Chair Kirchner said currently in the photographs he saw there is no parking on that street. Is there any <br /> intention to widen the street to allow for parking or would it likely remain signed as"no parking." <br /> Barnhart does not believe there is any intention to widen the road for parking. <br /> Bollis' understanding is that the developer is not proposing to pay for and build the cul-de-sac. <br /> Barnhart's understanding is they are providing the right-of-way for the cul-de-sac and next year when <br /> Westlake is part of the street project the Applicant intends that the City would pave the cul-de-sac at that <br /> time. <br /> Bollis asked if there is an estimate on the cost to build this cul-de-sac. <br /> Barnhart believes that is in engineering at this stage.The pavement will be a decision of the City Council. <br /> Kirchner asked if the application they are voting to approve or deny includes pedestrian access or not? <br /> Barnhart replied the request is to vacate the road. Staff is supporting the vacation based on several <br /> conditions, including the pedestrian access. The Commission can pull conditions out if they so desire. <br /> Page 4 of 18 <br />