06-09-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 9, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 15 of 22 (16. PARK LANE GENERATOR UPDATE, Continued) Struve noted following installation of the generator, a local resident expressed concerns with the location and visual impacts of the generator. Staff did speak with one of the residents at the site prior to any work taking place and had the understanding that they had received a verbal okay to proceed with the project with the assumption the City would provide screening after the installation. The resident maintain they did not provide verbal approval prior to the start of the project. Struve noted staff has been working with the resident for the last eight months trying to come up with a mutually agreeable solution but have been unable to reach an agreement. The resident prefers the generator be moved approximately 300-400 feet to the City-owned lot by the intersection of Elm Street and Park Lane. Staff does not feel this is a reasonable request because of potential issues with having a generator located far away from the lift station. There is also the potential safety issue of having a power source far away. Struve stated to relocate the generator, it will cost an estimated $19,000 and the residents next to this relocation area may be opposed to the placement there also. Struve noted another option would be to locate the generator further southeast of the existing location. While this may reduce the visual impact to the one resident, it may still be visible from their property and impact other properties. There is also a good chance the generator would have to be placed in an existing pavement area which would reduce winter snow storage and would increase the chances of having an incident with a vehicle. Struve noted staff also had discussions with the resident about providing a 6-foot tall wood fence and then planting arborvitae to shield the fence. The resident would prefer to have the entire site fenced in while Staff would only recommend providing a fence around the generator and the new electrical panel in order to leave necessary access. Struve indicated no final solution has been arrived at with the resident and Staff is requesting the City Council provide guidance on how to proceed. Staff prefers the current location, with screening and potentially painting of the generator to reduce the visual impact. The residents have indicated they may pursue legal action if the generator remains in its current location. Struve displayed a photograph of the area depicting the new generator, transfer switch panel, and other existing equipment that was on the site prior to the installation of the new generator. Levang asked where the bollards would be located. Struve indicated they would be located as tight to the existing generator as possible and would be between the fence and the road. Levang asked if this area would be called an open drain. Struve stated it is an existing drainage swale. Levang asked how many bollards there would be.