11-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 26, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 13 of 23 10. #15-3774 MICHAEL STEADMAN ON BEHALF OF IRWIN JACOBS, 1700 SHORELINE DRIVE, PRELIMINARY PLAT – REVIEW CUL-DE-SAC ALTERNATIVES (continued) Swing stated it is not possible to provide an access that will accomplish what the goal is, which is to bring in construction workers and construction traffic. Swing stated it would not be safe. Walsh asked if there was someone who said otherwise, whether it is not true. Swing stated he is a licensed engineer and has been doing this for 29 years. Swing stated he strongly believes it will not be a safe scenario. Swing stated it is unsafe and should not be done. Walsh stated the part he thought was a little bit disingenuous is that it will not impact the area since there will probably only be 20 construction vehicles. Walsh stated there will probably be at least 20 vehicles coming in and out of Jacobs’ property every day. Walsh stated he was wondering if it is an issue of not wanting it to be done or whether it cannot be done. Walsh stated he has heard otherwise and that he is trying to get to the bottom of it. Swing noted traffic coming into the neighborhood off of Shoreline Drive has a right-turn lane, which will take those cars out of through traffic and those vehicles will slow to the appropriate speed to make the turn. When turning into Mr. Jacobs’ property, there is not that right turn lane. Vehicles in that case will be slowing down in traffic, which is an enhanced opportunity for some type of collision as people attempt to avoid the car in front of them. McMillan asked if the Council would like to take another vote on the construction road. McMillan noted the Council did vote against it at the last Council meeting. Cornick stated he would like to vote on the cul-de-sac. Stephen Charrier, 1910 Heritage Lane, noted he submitted a note after the last meeting regarding these issues. Charrier stated he has walked the property a number of times and that the discussion has resolved around traffic from the Jacobs’ property all the way down to the cul-de-sac. Charrier stated the only real issue is from the Jacobs’ driveway and then the first 80 feet. McMillan stated it depends on when the homes will be built. McMillan noted the middle lot could not be built on for ten years. Charrier stated he understands that but that the discussion has centered on the entire length of the road. Charrier stated he does not understand that. Charrier stated if you stand on the property, there appears to be a solution and that the intent of the neighbors has always been to alleviate some of the construction traffic. McMillan noted that would be asking the developer to create a temporary construction access road that already has access off of Heritage Lane. McMillan stated she does not want to build a whole new road and take down 20 or 30 trees and drive on bluffs when the applicant has a legal right to access that property and develop it.