10-27-1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 27, 1997 MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT • Jabbour noted the joint meeting held on this date with the Planning Commission was fruitful. Flint said he is concerned with the Saga Hill development recently reviewed by Planning Commission and the ability to build on the property given the topography. He asked the City Engineer to review the application to ensure the development will not create drainage problems for properties downstream. Jabbour received confirmation from Gaffron that both the Planning Commission and Staff have scrutinized the application and are reviewing resident concerns. ENGINEER REPORT ( #12) DAKOTA AVENUE MAINTENANCE Gappa reported that Dakota Avenue is a 600' long dead -end road with seven homes accessing off of it. The road had been gravel but was recently paved as part of the sewer project. The road has been privately maintained but there are no records showing the history of why that occurred. Gappa said the residents have requested the City make a determination regarding the maintenance of the road. The sewer project is now complete, and Gappa asked Council to make the determination regarding responsibility for maintenance. • Gappa justified the road becoming public because it fits within the category of public roads as it is adjacent to Long Lake Boulevard, which is maintained by the City, all the other roads in the sewer project are public and maintained by the City, and the road now has sewer in the street. Gappa said he understood that development in rural areas usually hold to private road status, but he feels this road is more urban in nature, setting no precedent. Jabbour asked Gaffron for confirmation of the area's classification as rural. Gaffron said the Comprehensive Plan needs to determine the differences between urban and rural areas. He said sewer is not necessarily the guideline. What makes the neighborhood different from the rural area is the lot sizes being less than 2 acres, averaging 1/2 to 1 acre in size. Gaffron views this as an urban cluster within the rural area of the City. Jabbour said a distinction needs to be determined between this road and others to allow the road to become public. Barrett indicated that the road was platted public. This does not distinguish it, however, as platted public roads are not necessarily made public. Flint said his opinion of the area is one of being an urban area with how it is set up. . 12