10-08-2001 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, September 24,2001____ (CofTcc Cbaand, CoAtinued) Richard ChiKk, 2213 Shad>A%ood Road indicalcd he \%as bom and raised in this area and has used CofTcc Channel many times as he \%as giouing up. Chock staled he has seen a number of people go through the ice in this area and has rescued a number of pei^ple. Chock slated in his \ ie\s a better solution needs to be found for the snowmobilers since they do help the economy of Orono. Chock indicated he has also used this atlesssay in the past when the channel is unsafe, and encouraged the Council to lease the alle>way open until a better solution is arrived at. Mike SchultA 3022 Bluffs Drive. Mound, expressed concerns regarding snowmobiling and the use of Coffee Channel. SchulU staled he understands the concerns of the adjoining properly owners to the alleysv.iy and that the issue of safety needs to be addressed. Schultz indicated more and more families are becoming involved in snowmobiling. with Lord Fletcher's being a popular place to visit. Schultz, stated the >oung children riding snowmobilcrs arc not always aware of the dangers of going through Coffee Channel and that the fire lane is the only viable, safe passage through that area at this time. SchulU encouraged the Council to keep the fire lane open. Roger Kirchner, 2000 Shady wood Road. presentc*d pictures to the audience and City Council illustrating the allcvxvay and the damage caused by .snowmobilcrs to his property. Kirchner stated he h.is young grandchildren who visit iKcasionally, with this property being owned by his family for the past 60 vears Kirchner stated back in 1971. a sign was erected by the City ne.xt to the alleyway saying no snowmobiling allowed. Kirchner stated their homes are located 25 feet apart, with their homes being three feet from the fire lane, and due to the number of snow mobiles that utilized this fire lane, along with the noise they created, it cau.sed their whole residence to shake and rattled the mirrors in their bathroom. Kirchner stated in his opinion this is not a safe, v iable alternate for the people who live in these residences. Kirchner staled leaving this allevxvay open to snowmobilcrs would greatly diminish iheif qualit) of life and they should not have to tolerate this situation John Schultz. 3192 West l-dgc Boulevard. Mound, stated his properly abuts llalstcd Bay. with his property being utilized by the snowmobilcrs when ilalsted Channel is unsafe. Schultz stated he has been approached by several different neighbors requesting this area be closed down but has refused due to safely reasotiN to avoid the necessitv of people using the channel when it is unsafe. Schultz stated he is a snowmobilcr and has lived on the lake for 27 vears. Schultz pointed out these two properties are probabl) non-confomiing under today *s Building Codes. Schultz encouraged the Council to leave this alle>way open for snowmobilcrs due to the safety issues involved. Mark llawkin. .^023 Ivv Lane. Mound, stated he has been snov. m. biting on this lake for approxlmateh 21 vears now, w ith ColTce Channel being a concern. Hawkin slated the Water Patrol does issue a S90 ticket to people speeding in this area and does routinely check the ice in this area, llawkin slated a better long-lemi solution needs to be found, with the alleyway being the only viable option at this lime. David Soltau. 4608 Harriett Avenue South. Minneapolis, indicated his mother lives it 1998 Shadywood. Soltau stated he spends considerable time with his mother at her residence and is aware of the situation and the trauma lliat it has caused to his mother. Soltau staled in his opinion snowmobiling is a privilege PAGES