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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Tuesday, March 15, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />there was precedence, and it was valued at $9,000. Ms. Farnes stated it makes it unsellable, and their <br />investment in real estate, and their retirement, is now gone over one dock permit that was properly secured <br />through the proper channels that had a boat since 1942 with that cabin. Initially it was a handshake on the <br />family to the owners. When Ms. Farnes’ family bought it, it converted to this permit. The only permit they <br />created for this unique property and unique situation. <br /> <br />Ressler thinks it will be difficult to read through the handout on the fly. <br /> <br />Curtis believes the materials Ms. Farnes has provided were emailed to the Commissioners this afternoon. <br /> <br />Ms. Farnes said [off microphone] there are photos. <br /> <br />Ressler clarified for those watching online, the comments were that the handout included some photos <br />reiterating the difficulty of being inclusive of adding more dockage. <br /> <br />Chris Bollis, 470 Big Island, is just adjacent to the Applicant’s property. He only wants to comment about <br />access on the west side of the island. There is a road right-of-way that comes in – he does not know if it <br />has a name – it is just by 460 Big Island. <br /> <br />Curtis pointed it out on screen. <br /> <br />Mr. Bollis said that is probably the only vehicle access on Big Island where one can drive from the ice or <br />from a barge right up on there. He noted they have used that for septic pumping, well drilling, and in 2005 <br />(he thinks) there was a big fire on the south end of the island and they hauled in fire departments, pumps, <br />food, bobcats, and it was a big problem. He wants to say that the access by 460 Big Island should not be <br />considered as a dockage area because it is the only spot one can get on the island with any size of a vehicle <br />to do the service work that is required. <br /> <br />Ted Hanna, 480 Big Island, said that however many years ago this thing was platted out – the spirit of the <br />whole plat to allow people access to their interior lots – he thinks that is something that should be considered <br />for future use, as well. As Ms. Farnes said, they combined a bunch of lots so it cut it down but there could <br />have been a bunch more people there asking for it. He thinks that was the spirit of the whole thing, to have <br />roads and not just for fire access. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. <br /> <br />Ressler noted this is a tough one. <br /> <br />Kirchner said first and foremost from what they have heard at the public hearing, he does not believe that <br />there is ill-intent upon the Applicant to revoke the existing permit 2038. He does not believe that was the <br />intent but is just an unfortunate wording. Regarding the permit, he noted Staff, City Council, and City <br />Attorney could have further discussion on this - he does see at the bottom it states that the City of Orono <br />further reserves the right to review this permit for any reason as deemed appropriate. Kirchner would say <br />this would qualify as a reason to review it rather than to automatically revoke it. Therefore, that may give <br />some leeway and some time. He agrees with Ressler’s remarks that this is not a black and white, just <br />because there has been an application there should be a revocation of this permit. With that said, he <br />appreciates the Applicant’s due diligence in exploring options, speaking with City Staff, evaluating those