Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />November 20, 2023 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br />Ressler asked how this vacation might differ from other vacation requests in the City. <br /> <br />Curtis said each vacation request is reviewed individually and staff looks at the use for the right-of-way in <br />each case. <br /> <br />Ellette Anderson, 1260 Spruce Place, one of the applicants, said when her parents bought the property in <br />1962 the easement was a muddy mess with litter and broken glass and beer cans and old docks. In the <br />1970s the City determined the easement was not suitable as a lake access, in part because it can fill up <br />with water three feet deep. The public has not used the access in 40 years. She said there are two places <br />very nearby that are much better lake access. The water that drains in the easement has come into their <br />basement, she said, requiring them to spend $15,000 on tiling. The family has maintained the easement <br />for 40 years with mowing, boulders and cleaning. They also spent $20,000 on riprap at the shore. Another <br />benefit, she said, would be that the Easleys could pave their gravel driveway, eliminating problems from <br />gravel run-off. It is the only driveway on the street that is not paved. She said both applicants would pay <br />more taxes if the easement was vacated which is money that could be spent on the other nearby access <br />points. <br /> <br />James Easley, 1250 Spruce Place, noted that drainage on that easement serves the whole area and the <br />water is sometimes 10 to 15 feet wide. They occasionally get trenches in their driveway from washouts. <br />He said there are a number of really nice trees in the center of the easement, adding the neighbors have <br />done a nice job of landscaping and taking care of the easement in such a way that it keeps the water out of <br />their homes. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 6:16 p.m. <br /> <br />Scott Youngstrand, 1270 Spruce Place, said his grandparents once lived in the Easley home. so he can <br />speak to the 40 years that it has just been a drainage ditch. He said they are in favor of vacating the <br />easement and that if concern is access for the public, there is a very nice access right up the street. <br /> <br />Heather Youngstrand, 1270 Spruce Place, also said she also supported the vacation. <br /> <br />Phillip Casey, 1318 Spruce Place, asked about the DNR’s reasons for opposing the vacation of the <br />easement. He recommended the Planning Commissioners drive by and take a look as it appears like <br />normal residential lots. He said the easement is so narrow and that anything that was put in there would be <br />a nuisance for the neighbors on either side. <br /> <br />Curtis said the DNR does not typically support a vacation unless the vacation itself serves a public <br />purpose. <br /> <br />Jennifer Linder, 1240 Spruce Place, said she has been in her home for 14 years. She said the gully would <br />not serve any purpose to the public and during a power outage it is so full of water that you could raft <br />down it. It is of no value to the public for recreation, she said. <br /> <br />Leslee Casey, 1318 Spruce Place, said her backyard is part of the trail system that connects to public <br />access by Cherry Place and it is enjoyable, easy to get on the lake and is enjoyed by many people in the <br />area. Most people don’t know the easement being discussed is a public access, she said. There is nothing <br />to show it would be a way to the lake. <br />4