05-24-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 10, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 34 14. LA21-000017 – JOSEPH & SARA THULL, 480 BIG ISLAND, PERMIT FOR DOCK ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY (BAY PLACE) – UPDATE – Continued Mr. Loughlin noted there is a Minnehaha Watershed Creek District permit tied to that; he apologized that he does not have any solutions as they just found out about the meeting the previous Thursday. Initially he thought it would all be done at the other end of the island and now he has heard rumors that they may want to put a 100 foot dock out there with 7 property owners sharing it. Walsh said no one has proposed a 100 foot dock, but he shares those concerns about what is being stored on City property, as down by the area Mr. Thull is proposing the next door neighbor is storing his dock on City property, as well. Walsh is not familiar with the Watershed District permit. Mr. Loughlin said it is part of the documents filed with the County pursuant to this agreement with the 220 Big Island property owner. Curtis thinks there was some City-approved filling and mitigation done to make that usable as part of improving that area to get walkable, clear access. Mr. Loughlin noted another question brought up by a property owner, who thinks in 1975 a study was done about buildable lots within Orono, including the island. He asked if the lots in question are even buildable lots. Walsh replied everything is buildable; there is just so much space to build within. Mr. Loughlin said according to that property owner, there are lots on the island that are not buildable. Curtis noted the statute has changed to allow parameters for development of small lots. There are some lots that potentially do not qualify and would need variances but the statute did change which is different than what historically was allowed. Mr. Loughlin said the easement between his property and the property next door - the two closest properties already have access there. At the other end where the 7 lots are, there are three existing right- of-ways going down to the lake and the closest accessibility is at that end of the island. Walsh said there is a nice pathway all the way from Judson’s house to the right-of-way next to Mr. Loughlin’s house. The two people that have licenses right now have yearly applications so there is the ability to combine and change things to make it different. Mr. Loughlin advocated that the properties access the closest point from their property. Cheryl Uran, 140 Big Island, stated her property abuts the 90 foot right-of-way and said 20-or-so years ago this issue came up. David Lovelace owned a huge portion of an inland lot and wanted a dock permit. At the time, Gabriel Jabbour was mayor and they wanted to put 4 docks in by 140 Big Island. It is 90 feet but most of it is wetland; she noted they were railroaded and did not get a say. People wanted to put two