05-09-2005 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 9, 2005 7:00 o'clock p.m. (Cooperative Agreement, Continued) Murphy expressed a concern that the residents along Townline Road need to be informed that Townline Road could be made a through road. Murphy stated it is his understanding MN/Dot will not stipulate that this road will not be opened at some point in the future. The Council directed City Administrator Moorse to contact Medina to arrange for a meeting. Jane Slaughter indicated she has owned her property along Townline Road for approximately 20 years and that she has requested the City in the past to make the access across the railroad public and was denied. Slaughter expressed frustration that this matter has not been dealt with earlier. Slaughter stated the City has had five years to deal with this and has waited until two weeks before the project is scheduled to begin. White stated they have not seen a plan showing the density of the development until recently. Peterson noted that the current council members were not on the council when this was first brought up in 1999. Slaughter inquired why the density is a problem. Peterson stated the current property owners in this area purchased bigger lots with a five -acre minimum and are now looking at a development with much higher density. Slaughter indicated she does not have a problem with the higher density. Slaughter stated those property owners only purchased their lots and not the neighboring property. Slaughter inquired why those property owners' desires have more weight than her desires. Slaughter stated the City is not standing behind the documentation that they created. Barnett noted there was some litigation concerning the Slaughter property's access, and that it was determined that the City does not have right of access across the railroad. Barrett indicated the property Slaughter purchased did not have proper access and that she is attempting to resolve. that. Barrett stated the City has not violated any obligation it has regarding access to her property. Slaughter stated in her opinion it is at a standstill and not resolved. Murphy stated he did inquire where the City has been in this for the last six years and that the people that are present in this room have not delayed anything since 1999. Murphy indicated they have not been made aware of this until approximately six weeks ago. Sansevere stated they are not attempting to limit the construction of the road but merely the density along the road. • Slaughter pointed out that if this is not accomplished within the next couple of weeks, this project would • be delayed for another five or six years. PAGE 22