05-11-1999 Council Minutes Special City Council Meeting

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 11, 1999 • condition. Since approximately 1917, Woodhill Avenue has served as the secondary access to the country club. The primary traveled access is from Woodhill Road to County Road 15. From 1917 until 1980, Woodhill Avenue was used regularly by club members, guests, employees, and service and delivery vehicles. Since 1980, the Country Club has voluntarily llmilted access to pedestrians, bicyclists, and very limited vehicular traffic, and indicated to the City in a letter written by the then president of Woodhill Country Club, that by taking that action the Club did not, in any way, want to limit its right to use the back entrance, should future circumstances warrant a change in the Club's decision. Woodhill maintains the position that use of this road has never lapsed and continues to be used today. McCarthy remarked that there is nothing in Orono's City Codes that requires an access be utilized at a certain frequency in order to keep that access open. McCarthy commented that the traffic volumes on County Road 15 need to be addressed by the City, noting that this proposed access is beneficial but will not greatly reduce the traffic volumes currently experienced on that road. However, this secondary access to Woodhill will provide a safe route of travel for those members of the Club that live to the west and north and is consistent with the City of Orono's Comprehensive Plan. One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is to provide for the safety of all Orono residents, and Woodhill Country Club feels this proposal meets that goal. McCarthy noted that the golf course is considered to be recreational and open space and not commercial, and Woodhill's proposal to the City maintains that the golf course is recreational and is compatible with the rest of the neighborhood. • Regarding the impact to the neighborhood, McCarthy commented that the City Council should look at the whole picture, noting that this access is considered to be a secondary access by Woodhill and will have a minimal impact on the current traffic patterns already being experienced in the area. McCarthy stated that it is the opinion of the Country Club that Woodhill Avenue is the best road to accommodate this secondary access due to the wider street and better sight lines that exist. McCarthy remarked that if the City Council reads the Benshoof report, there are only three negative impacts that Woodhill's proposal would create. First, the two residences located at the intersection of Orono Orchard Road and Woodhill Avenue have a limited impact from the restoration of the Woodhill Avenue access. The driveways for these two homes are located on Woodhill Avenue and their ability to use these driveways would be impacted by the motorists traveling to and from the Country Club. It would also be more difficult for them to walk or ride a bicycle along Woodhill Avenue. Secondly, the entrance from the Woodhill Ridge private road onto Woodhill Avenue does pose a significant traffic hazard due to extensive trees and brush that obstruct the sight distance. The owner of that property has agreed to trim or remove the bushes if needed to improve the sight lines. Thirdly, the Benshoof report states that Woodhill Avenue is not wide enough to accommodate a motorist traveling in each direction plus a pedestrian or bicyclist traveling in one direction. McCarthy stated this road is 24 feet wide and is certainly capable of handling that traffic. McCarthy commented that Ed Axt of Parsons, Brinckerhoff is present tonight to answer any questions relating to their traffic study. • Ed Axt, Senior Transportation Engineer with the firm of Parsons, Brinckerhoff, stated that Woodhill Country Club's conditional use permit amendment proposal will have a minimal impact on Woodhill Page 7