12-09-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ' ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,December 9,2013 6:30 o'clock p.m. (9. #13-3637 WILLI ABBOTT ONBEHALF OF THE BROADWAY GROUP,LLC, 2350 WATERTOWNROAD,AND�'YX WILLOW DRIVE NORTH—PRELIMINARYSUBDIVISION, Continued) McMillan commented the City needs to be careful about putting trails next to people's back yards if they do not have any real meaning to them. McMillan noted the City has generally kept the trails close to the roads and that going down the path of putting little pieces of trails in back yards is not a good idea. Bremer indicated she is in agreement. Levang stated it also creates an issue with maintenance. Printup noted behind the fire department there is a connection to a park in Long Lake and it is a natural point for the trail to join. Printup asked when the two units per acre density were designated in the Comprehensive Plan. Gaffron indicated that initially occurred with the 2000 Comprehensive Plan and was carried through in the 2008-2030 Comprehensive Plan. Willi Abbott stated they set out to create an opportunity for people to move into Orono more than to divide up a bunch of land and build some houses. The goal of this development is to construct obtainable and affordable development opportunities. Abbott indicated he is passionate about the Orono community and wanted to provide this availability for small homes on medium sized lots that younger people could move into. Abbott stated they are attempting to create something that fits within the neighborhood, such as Hackberry and parts of Long Lake and in his view this proposal fits the Comprehensive Plan and fits a need for the community. Abbott stated in his view the trail concept needs a little further definition and noted the proposed trail would not be for everybody in the community but is designed only for the inhabitants of this development both in an active and passive way. The Planning Commission thought if the inhabitants of the neighborhood wanted access to that back eastern triangle,they could with this trail. Abbott stated it would only be a walking easement and the trail would not be chipped or paved. Abbott stated having a trai( along Willow is a good idea given the amount of traffic on that road. Abbott stated another opportunity that he is considering is a walking easement through the wetland along the northern boundary. If people did not want to walk along Willow,there would be an opportunity to put a crosswalk from that point over to Hackberry Park. Abbott indicated crossing anywhere to the south would be close to the top of the hill and not very safe. McMillan asked if there are any other plans for the outlot other than possibly giving it to one of the neighbors. McMillan noted it is an awkward piece of land. Page 20 of 35