05-08-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DraftMINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION April 17, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ 1. LA23-000002 CITY OF ORONO, 1449 SHORELINE DRIVE AND 1475 SHORELINE DRIVE, VACATION Oakden said this application is to vacate unused right-of-way along County Rd. 15. The City of Orono is requesting to vacate portions of right-of-way. Hennepin County conducted a project and obtained rights- of-way to reconstruct Tanager Bridge. Portions of that right-of-way are no longer needed to support the road improvement. The County has transferred the property to the City for the purpose of vacating which is standard vacation process. The land does not serve a public purpose and has no use for City services. Staff is recommending approval. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:06 p.m. Richie Anderson, 1449 Shoreline Dr., stated his agreement with the County was, any property the County took on one side, he would get back on the other side, which is the space we are talking about now. I’ve been waiting since 2020 to get this resolved. I didn’t hold them up on price and gave them more property than needed and I’ve been paying an attorney to get this done. You are not giving us something we did not have an agreement to get. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. Libby commented that he had worked closely with the County and a different property owner regarding right-of-way acquisition for this road project. I was very aware of two precedents at that time. When there is a vacation like this, if the County decides it no longer has a use for a property it must pass through ownership of the City before goes to an adjoining property owner for first right of refusal, which is another precedent. At this point all we are really deciding is whether we are advising Council to approve vacation. I am supportive. Kirchner supports the application. Erickson noted from a motorist and resident standpoint it is a tremendous improvement over what was there before. He appreciates the efforts of the property owner and the county and City staff and everyone working together to come up with a finished product that's top quality. McCutchen moved, Erickson seconded, to approve LA23-000002, 1449 Shoreline Drive, Vacation. VOTE: Ayes: 6, Nays 0.