01-17-2023 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION November 21, 2022 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 13 Charles Price, 2813 Casco Point Road, has been a property investor all his life. He has a hard time wrapping his head around giving land away for free. He would understand if someone looked at the fair market value and if the City ever needed it back they would pay a huge number of dollars to reestablish what they are about to give away for free. Mr. Price is somewhat assuaged by what he has heard, he actually thought this would give water access. As long as they kept the north/south link on the west side, kept the northern link, and then came back to the south it looks like it almost gives lake access, although it may miss it by a few feet. It is so close Mr. Price almost thinks they are giving away lake access. Penny Saiki said when one googles 1003 Wildhurst Trail it comes up as an R-shaped property, but the title of the three parcels all say Matt Johnson. She asked when he bought 1003 Wildhurst Trail did those three parcels come with it? Curtis replied Mr. Johnson bought all three PIDs and she does not know the timing or terms of the purchase. Ms. Saiki stated the big question is that none of them know the intention of Mr. Johnson. Mr. Turbeville said regarding the Morgart property since Chris passed away, over the summer there was a lot of activity in the existing house (R-shaped area) with cars, trucks, bobcat, and trailers coming and going. Ironically, the postcard went out and all activity stopped over the past couple weeks. He noted the postcard did not go to people across the street and does not know that accurate public notification has gone out. Once the land is vacated, Mr. Johnson can say he will put one house up, the others can say they will put one house on the other 10 acres, but this is step one to getting a bigger development built. He asks the Commissioners to vote no. Loren Schoenzeit, 4480 Forest Lake Landing, is a former member of the Planning Commission and thinks what is important here is that the plan is incomplete. He encourages the Commission to table until there is a comprehensive plan for the site to understand the density, building, and other pieces. He noted Planning Commission 101 is to never give away an easement unless there is something returned in trade of value to the City. Today that area being vacated is used by snowmobiles and the other piece is to keep the existing utility easement for access through that property because if anyone hits a pole on County Road 19 the entire energy grid section goes out. He understands for Mr. Johnson the more one draws, the more it costs, but a plan would help everyone understand the land use planned for the area. Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. Chair McCutcheon noted there is precedent and history of re-platting and vacating these “slices.” In looking at emails and comments, what is the plan and City benefit here? He would like to hear the Commissioners’ comments, as well as comments on snowmobiles as they would have to cross private property to access the lake. Ressler thanked citizens and neighbors for coming to express their concerns. He noted Forest Lake has some very strange platting as already identified. There is history of another vacation under similar circumstances that Ressler was in support of and there is a tug-of-war between maintaining what Orono has and allowing people to use and develop their property. Ressler noted City Staff does a nice job to support citizens and try to make things work. Regarding the other vacated lot, giving away land is relevant to its use and purpose. The way this land is guided, Ressler does not know how public use could