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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 21, 2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> utility companies were notified of the proposal in July and none have indicated any issues with the <br /> vacation. <br /> Staff recommends approval of the vacation application. <br /> Thiesse asked how many lots are still available with the right-of-way. Thiesse asked why the City just <br /> does vacate all of them at the same time. <br /> Curtis indicated she does not have an inventory of the lots at this point. <br /> Gaffron stated back in the 1980s, the City had a number of properties on Forest Lake that had a similar <br /> situation. It was suggested by the City to those property owners to make application all at once, and the <br /> City received probably 12 or 15 applications in the space of a year. Most of those were vacated. Gaffron <br /> stated to his understanding what is left is located in various places and not groups of properties. Gaffron <br /> stated he does not know if there is any value to grouping a number of them together. Staff could identify <br /> them but it is unclear whether there is any great value to vacating them all at once. <br /> Thiesse asked if they could become a risk to the City if they are not vacated. <br /> Gaffron stated he is not sure they will be a risk to the City. Gaffron stated the City has a number of <br /> unimproved rights-of-way that do not abut the lake, and whether they are a risk would need to be <br /> evaluated. <br /> Thiesse asked if someone would be allowed to camp there. <br /> Gaffron stated probably not. <br /> Thiesse asked if he could park his boat there. <br /> Gaffron stated some of them have not been vacated since there has been no need to vacate them given the <br /> steep topography. Gaffron stated some of Oronds sister cities rent that type of area out but in those <br /> situations they have accessible shoreline. <br /> Landgraver asked whether the City has ever denied a similar vacation. <br /> Gaffron stated not to his knowledge. <br /> Landgraver noted the DNR is saying the piece of property should be preserved for a what if scenario. <br /> Gaffron stated those corridors that go down to the lake, even if they are not used at the present time, since <br /> the City is not sure what will happen in 50 to 75 years,they should be maintained for the public who do <br /> not own shoreline. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 7:48 p.m. <br /> There were no public comments regarding this application. <br /> Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:48 p.m. <br /> Page 13 of 46 <br />