10-22-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 22, 2001 7:00 o'clock p.m. ( #4 — Forest Lake Landing, Continued) access, the City would need to construct a stairway due to the topography by the lakeshore. Walter commented in his view taxpayer money could be spent in a better way to provide access to the general public than by improving this area. Walter stated he also has concerns regarding security, noting this area is not visible from the roadway, which can lead to a number of issues. Walter stated people cannot say with any certainty that this access point will only be used by the residents in the Tonkaview area. John Hollander, 200 Hollander Road, inquired whether this was a platted subdivision and if the road is private or public. Flint stated the fire lane is a platted public road. Ed Garlock, 1179 Elmwood Avenue, stated he lived on the other side of Forest Lake for 30 years, and enjoyed watching his kids play in the area by the Lines house over the years. Garlock stated in his view it should remain as a natural area, and suggested the City deal with the Mullin issue prior to approving this access point. Flint closed the public hearing at 8:26 p.m. • Sansevere commented he has visited this access point, and in his view the area is too secluded to allow unlimited type access. Sansevere stated he has issues with fishing and swimming, and would like to see the lily pads in that area protected. Sansevere commented he also feels the residents in that area are entitled to certain protections and that this area should be kept more passive. Sansevere suggested limiting this access point to pedestrian traffic only, with no fishing or swimming allowed. Sansevere inquired what the 1940 Supreme Court case involved. Tom Barrett stated that case dealt with the question of whether a township or municipality had appropriately vacated a public access to Lake Minnetonka, with the Supreme Court placing a high value on the people's right to access the lake. Barrett stated the method for vacating a public access has changed somewhat. Sansevere stated he does have concerns for the people who live next to these lake access points. Sansevere noted the majority of the people who live near this access point would prefer the area be made into a natural area. Sansevere stated he would prefer this access point remain passive, with the uses being restricted due to the area being secluded. White stated the biggest issues with this access point are the parking and the security. White noted crime has actually gone down since September 11`x' due to people becoming more vigilant. White stated he would like to see the vegetation in the water remain in front of the lakeshore, noting that fishing and swimming would destroy that. White stated he is not in favor of giving away public property, and commented the classification of this site and the permitted uses are very important. White stated the uses being suggested by the Park PAGE 9