10-22-2001 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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C1T\ OF ORONO PARKS. OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COM>nSSION MEETING MONDAY. JULY 2,2001 ^ke Access Points SM^BuK. 4690 Tonkaview Lane, noted she previously submitted a petition to the Park Commission concerning the lake access located at Forest Lake Landing. Bull stated some of the neighbors have been inquiring about the progress being made on the access. Bull inquired when this lake access point would be reopened to the general public. Bull noted she attempted to use it yesterday, with access to the lake at this time being pretty impossible. McDermott inquired what the City could do to make the access easier to use. Bull inquired whether the access could be regraded back to the original grade. Bull noted the slope in this area is ver> steep and it is very difficult to tell exactly where the lake access is. McDermott stated it is his understanding the right-of-way goes all the way to the residence I'cated to the left of the s:cess. McDermott stated basically the front lawn of that residence b \ ithin the lake access. Bull noted the stakes denoting the lake access point have also been removed. Bull stated in the past the pathway down to the tal e was located more to the south than to the north, with the property to the north remaining basically the same for the past 30 years. McDermott stated there is a row of arborv itae on the right-hand side, w hich is one edge of the public right-of-way give or take a couple of feel. McDermott indicated the area to the leB, all the way to the foundation of the residence, is the other edge of the right-of-way. McDermott noted the play structure, the deck, and the stairway are located mainly on public land. Use commented she is unsure of the Park Commission's role in dealing w ith the lake access points, and questioned whether the Park Commission has the authority to deal with these issues being raised by the neighbors. Use noted the City Council would have the final say on these lake access points and that their philosophy is that public property is public property. Use stated the residents may need to take their concerns to the City Council. Bull suted the neighbors would basically like this access point restored back to a small neighborhood access like it had existed in t^ : past Bull stated the changes that have been made to this area in the past few years are what have prevented the local residents from utilizing this access point. Dull stated she is aware of an individual who drove his truck down to the lake a couple of years ago, which is impossible today. McDermott stated this would be considered a city park with motorized vehicles not being allowed. McDermott noted this would be a walking path only. McDermott stated the Park Commission is in agreement that every resident should have access to the lakeshore on available City property. McDermott commented the legal access to the lake might be located in a different location than what the neighbors have been using in the past, and that the Park Commission has recommended to the Council that this lake access remain open. McDermon stated it is the desire of the Park Commission to have every lake access point clearly designated and marked over the next few years. Jay Nygard, City Council Representative, stated Orono is following the lead of other communities around the lake by starting to mark and identify the City's fire lanes and lake access PAGES b