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