10-22-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 22, 2001 7:00 o'clock p.m. ( #4 — Forest Lake Landing, Continued) Flint inquired whether Bull was in favor of swimming at this location, noting the Park Commission's recommendation does not include swimming. Bull stated she would not have a problem if swimming were not allowed at this location. Peter Martinson, 4416 Forest Lake, indicated he has recently purchased his property, and had he known about the access point, he would not have acquired the property. Martinson expressed concerns regarding the possible liability to the City if someone gets hurt at this right -of -way, noting there is a fairly steep embankment to the shoreline at the present time. Martinson stated he would be in favor of the area being turned into a natural area, but is opposed to it being used for any other purpose. Sansevere inquired what the City's liability would be if someone got hurt carrying a canoe or other small boat down to the shoreline at any access point. Tom Barrett, City Attorney, stated the liability concerns would be the same for all access points, with the City being insured. Barrett stated the City does have an obligation to make appropriate access for the uses allowed. Patricia Affeldt, 4765 Tonkaview Lane, indicated she currently resides next to the park entrance to Saga Hill, and in her view some of the opposition to this access point is the "not in my back yard syndrome ". • Affeldt stated the Saga Hill area experiences very little traffic, with the park generally being used by the people in the neighborhood. Affeldt stated the important issue before the Council is to determine whether access should be available to those residents who do not reside on the lake. Affeldt stated the City could post no parking in this area, which should alleviate the traffic concerns. Jon Blackstone, 4465 Forest Lake Landing, stated the City Council needs to take a close look at their decisions that impact the security of any area, especially in light of the recent past. Blackstone stated in his view the City is not preserving this lake access point but rather developing it. Blackstone stated the access point has not been used in recent years. Blackstone indicated they do experience additional traffic in their neighborhood due to the Lines residing in their neighborhood, and in his view this access point will only increase the traffic to the area. Blackstone stated he would like the Orono Police Department to patrol this area. Blackstone encouraged the City Council to classify this area as a natural area, noting the Park Commission was split on a four to three vote. Marsha Hickey, 4640 Tonkaview Lane, commented most Americans are in a higher state of security nowadays, and in order to alleviate some of these safety concerns, the residents in the neighborhoods need to get to know one another. Hickey stated in her view the only people who will utilize this access point are the neighbors, and that fishing at this site should be restricted. Hickey indicated it is her belief the people who utilize this access point will respect Lisa Mullin's privacy, and inquired what will happen to Mullin's well and deck and other structures if this site were turned into a natural area. Rich Walter, 4470 Forest Lake Landing, stated the issue for him is the suitability of this access point. Walter stated in order to make the Forest Lake Landing access point a suitable, legal, and liability-free PAGE 8