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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, October 26, 2015 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 14 of 23 <br /> <br />10. #15-3774 MICHAEL STEADMAN ON BEHALF OF IRWIN JACOBS, 1700 <br />SHORELINE DRIVE, PRELIMINARY PLAT – REVIEW CUL-DE-SAC ALTERNATIVES <br />(continued) <br />McMillan stated she understands the concerns of the neighborhood and that it will be disruptive, but to <br />ask the applicant to build a temporary road and remove 20 to 30 trees, drive on bluffs for a development <br />that may happen in one year, two years, or ten years, is an unbelievable burden for the developer. <br />McMillan stated the applicant has the right to split off the lots and have access to those lots from a public <br />road. <br /> <br />Charrier stated the point is driving all the way down to the cul-de-sac. Charrier pointed out the proposed <br />location of the homes. Charrier stated traffic coming east on Highway 15 by Brackett’s Point is <br />considerably slower there and that it would be more difficult to pull out of Heritage Lane than it is to turn <br />out of Jacobs’ driveway given the slower traffic and sightlines. Charrier stated in his view those points <br />have been stated. <br /> <br />McMillan stated anything that pulls out onto County Road 15 is difficult but that Heritage Road is wider, <br />has a turn lane, and has more room. <br /> <br />Charrier noted there are also 17 families on Heritage Lane. <br /> <br />Walsh stated the points are well taken. Walsh stated they could take a direct route, which would <br />eliminate the grade issues. Walsh stated that would require the developer to build one home at a time. <br />Walsh stated that would put a little more burden on Jacobs versus the majority of the burden being placed <br />on the 17 or so families. <br /> <br />Dennis Libby, 1000 Heritage Lane, stated he has never once mentioned any objection that he has to this <br />development despite the fact that he will have the most immediate negative affect. Libby stated he <br />basically recused himself from representing the homeowners association and since it is in his best <br />interests to speak to his own personal views. <br /> <br />Libby stated he does not have any new points to raise other than to comment on the expert’s information <br />that was brought forward tonight. Libby stated he is very careful about having empirical data when trying <br />to advise the Council. Libby stated in his view it is necessary for the Council to consider, in contradiction <br />to several comments that were made tonight, that the residents have empirical class data that shows in two <br />separate projects, both adjacent to either side of the Jacobs’ property, the construction crews removed <br />various materials in and out onto County Road 15 via a private driveway. <br /> <br />On the Burwell project, a private road was constructed from County Road 15 with equivalent equipment <br />that would be coming in and out of Heritage Lane in connection with this project. Libby stated in the <br />process of doing that, there was consistent traffic in and out for a number of months by these heavy pieces <br />of equipment over private driveways. <br /> <br />Libby stated in a call to Hennepin County, he was surprised to learn that Hennepin County has very light <br />oversight or governance of construction access when it comes to a private driveway. Libby stated <br />Hennepin County does not have oversight over private driveways. Libby stated it is in contrast to <br />Mr. Gaffron’s comments that Hennepin County would deny a turn in/turn out access on a private <br />driveway.