03-23-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL. MEETING HELD ON MARCH 23, 1998 ( #26) DNR NATURAL AND SCENIC AREA GRANT APPLICATION - • RESOLUTION NO. 4059 Moorse reported that the DNR grant relates to a proposal by people in the Saga Hill area to submit a grant application for an additional 8.3 acres of land to be preserved as a natural area. This area would be added to the 11 acre natural area. The grant requires a 50% matching amount through private fund raising. There would be no expense to the City, but the City must submit the appiication. Jabbour reported that Flint sponsored a meeting with the Saga Hill people, who have a common interest in the land. If the grant is obtained and funds matched, the residents will secure a purchase agreement and obtain the land to give to the Land Trust who will deed it to the City. The City would then accept it with the DNR restrictions. The DNR restrictions are more liberal than those of the Land Trust. The natural preserve area will be passive in nature. The tax forfeit area will be more active. Jabbour noted that access must be provided, through the church property or otherwise. Flint asked to reinforce the positive nature of the meeting noting the need for a common vision. He indicated there were two methods for access, one using Garden Lane from the south, and one from the west using an easement through the church property. Flint proposed it be acquired through the church property with appropriate easements. The consensus was that this would be a less obtrusive access and eliminate the need for a parking lot. • Flint said the grant should be contingent on staff reviewing the application for compatibility with the City's parks and open space plan,and the City obtaining the easement access across the church property. There was no representative at the meeting from the church. Moorse indicated there were a number of conditions proposed to be placed on the easement by the church, resulting in no agreement regarding the easement. Jabbour noted that the City cannot acquire an easement if there are conditions through which the easement could be taken back. Irene Silber, West Branch Road, said she spoke with the DNR manager. There is a question of the grant monies going to metro or outstate areas. She would still like to proceed with the application. Jabbour asked that the Saga Hill people be open regarding the plan and the approach. Gary Welsh, 1214 Wildhurst Trail, said he does not belong to the church and questioned what benefit it is to the church to grant the easement. He noted there were other alternatives adding that the land would not be landlocked. Jabbour said the City is not putting the burden on the Saga Hill people to obtain the easement but felt it best to state all the objectives. • 26