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As you know, by taking this action we do not , in any way, <br />want to limit our right to use the back entrance , should future <br />circumstances warrant a change in this decision, (emphasis added) <br />In 1987, the Orono City Administrator wrote to the Orono City Council stating: <br />It is our present understanding that Woodhill could <br />begin utilization of this access at any time they choose. <br />Pedestrian and bicycle use has increased in the past years with the increased <br />popularity of both bicycling and exercising. Since 1980, the driveway has been used <br />only for the vehicles of the maintenance staff and certain maintenance equipment, <br />when it is brought to Long Lake for repair. On at least two occasions since 1980, the <br />Woodhill Avenue access was used as the general entrance to Woodhill because train <br />derailment and track construction temporarily blocked any access to County Road 15. <br />CURRENT AND FUTURE TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS THAT REQUIRE <br />FULL RESTORATION OF DUAL ACCESS TO WOODHILL COUNTRY CLUB <br />Woodhill Country Club has had a dual access to its property since 1917. Woodhill <br />Avenue has always been the secondary access, except on those occasions when <br />County Road 15 access has been temporarily blocked. Since 1980, the traffic and <br />safety concerns surrounding Woodhill Country Club has changed dramatically. <br />Traffic on County Road 15 has increased greatly in both volume and speed. Daily <br />traffic counts increased from approximately 5,000 cars per day to over 20,000 currently. <br />The construction on Highway 15 last summer (1998) and this summer (1999) have <br />raised special problems for use of Woodhill Road. Sight lines have been blocked and <br />access has been very difficult. After construction is done, the improvements to County <br />Road 15 will only foster Increased traffic and increased speeds on the highway. The <br />raised elevation of the highway has made the approach from Woodhill Road steeper <br />and more difficult to traverse in winter conditions. Woodhill members who live to the <br />west and north of the Club (e.g. Lyman Avenue, Long Lake, Medina) currently drive <br />down Orono Orchard Road, take' ,ft on Highway 15 going east, and then another left, <br />across oncoming cross-traffic to enter on Woodhill Road. These turns can be <br />dangerous at any time of the day. They are particularly dangerous and difficult during <br />heavy traffic periods. The turns pose dangers to children being transported to the club <br />and teenage and elderly member drivers. The turns are completely unnecessary if <br />those members were able to utilize the Woodhill Avenue access to the country club. <br />Any reduction of cross-traffic turns on Highway 15 will Improve safety, not only for <br />Woodhill families but also for a*l Orono citizens and for the general public traveling on <br />Highway 15. <br />I <br />Doc« 1I13102\I