10-27-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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page 1 of 3 RE: Internal Trails in Old Crystal Bav Road Addition fDickey Property) PETITION FOR VACATION OF TRAIL EASEMENTS BY THE RESIDENTS OF COUNTRYSIDE DR. WEST We, the residents of Countryside Drive West of Orono, MN., respectfully request that the City of Orono vacate the following three designated trail easements: 1) Between lot #2 and lot #3 within block 2 of the Old Crystal Bay Road addition; 2) Between lot #6 and lot #7 within Block 2 of the Old Crystal Bay Road addition; and, 3) Between lot 6, Block 2 of the Old Crystal Bay Road second addition and Lot 1, Block 1 of the Old Crystal Bay Road addition. As citizens of Orono, we respect and fully support the City Council ’s intent to provide public access to the existing Luce Line trail, and to the proposed public park In Outlet A. However, as access Is already provided for both the public and residents of Thoroughbred Meadows via: 1) the asphalt trail, which runs along Old Crystal Bay Road and connects with the Luce Line; and, 2) Watertown Rd. which provides access to Outlet A, we believe that additional access via internal trails Is unnecessary. In addition, we feel that the internal trail easements, originally designated as "amenities" to the development, are. In fact, a detriment for the following reasons: ♦ The trails would increase the automobile traffic on a 2 lane, cul-de-sac road with a high concentration of children and no on-street parking capacity - this creates a safety concern. We already have vehicles parking on our street in order to access the Luce Line and have experienced some “near misses" with our children. We believe that internal trail access will exacerbate this problem. This street is not a public street maintained by the Orono tax base. If the trails are constructed at the behest of the city of Orono, alLliability for accidents, injuries or property damage associated with traffic on this street that Is in any way associated with non-resident use of the trails must evolve to the city of Orono, with full indemnification provided to the property owners by the city of Orono. ♦ The Luce Line trail is unquestionably utilized by a large number of non-Orono residents. It Is, therefore, our belief that the internal trails would also be utilized by a large number of non-Orono residents. The resulting Increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic through the heart of the development would negatively impact the privacy of the residents. More importantly, we believe it could impact the security of the neighborhood. Further, the deterioration of this neighborhood's quality brought about by it's use by non-residents, and the aforementioned safety, privacy and security issues, must result in a substantial and immediate reduction in each property owner's property tax valuation.