12-09-1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 9, 1996 • ( #10 - #2197 John O'Sullivan - Continued) Hun asked O'Sullivan what his objection is to a ramp. O'Sullivan said is objection is to the cost from an engineering and construction standpoint. He added that he has observed very little traffic on Navarre Lane. Hun said if it is constructed, people will come. O'Sullivan said he feels the people commute by car in the area. O'Sullivan noted it would not join a trail system. He is concerned with scaling down of the proposed buildings to a point where the developers are walking away from the project. Hurr responded that O'Sullivan is gaining from the vacation and should be expected to give something in return. O'Sullivan said he feels that he is doing so with the path along Olive Avenue and the staircase. Jabbour said the original intent was to vacate all of Navarre Lane until Kelley suggested using a portion for a trail. Jabbour said he personally does not care but feels both a bike and pedestrian path should be together unless others feel it is safer the other way. Kelley said he is in support of the proposal with a bike path on the north. He noted the applicant could still put a staircase in without approval. Kelley says he sees the development as adding to the tax roll. Jabbour indicated that the original intent was never for something quite so elaborate. O'Sullivan said he does not have to put in a staircase if it is not preferred. • Park Commission Chair Dick Flint noted that the developer has come a long ways in his proposal for a path. Flint said he originally thought the trail should come down the middle, but after viewing the site, feels the compromise is agreeable. He does question some of the variances requested in relation to the site plan. McDermott said he noted the retaining wall while on site and questioned whether concrete piers could be erected to connect a ramp. He does tentatively agree with the staircase noting people can walk along Olive Avenue. McDermott said he is confused, however, by the County's comment regarding the trail dumping out along the street instead of at a stoplight. McDermott said a staircase is better than nothing at all. Goetten reported that she attended both the Park and Planning Commission meetings. She said she is concerned about what the walkway and staircase accomplishes viewing it as alot to put in to serve few people. Goetten said she realizes the property belongs to the City, but she does not see the need for a staircase. She believes the trail around the property is feasible. Sherokee Use of the Park Commission indicated children will want to get to the Navarre area as the neighborhood is somewhat landlocked. She thought the proposal is a good idea but the cost needs to be weighed. Ilse said she agrees with Kelley that kids will not . go around the property and would like to see a ramp. She saw it as an offer to the neighborhood to gain access to their downtown. 11