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 17 of 22 (17. HANLON AVENUE EXTENSION PETITION, Continued) Bolton and Menk has provided a not-to-exceed fee of $2,500 to examine the feasibility of extending Hanlon Avenue or look at potential alternatives to help make the property more identifiable and easily located. Staff recommends accepting Bolton and Menk’s proposal. Hadassah Zohara, 565 Hanlon Avenue, indicated she has resided at this property for approximately 30 years and that she has always experienced difficulty with deliveries of gas, mail, and other products. In addition, people who visit the property require specific directions. Zohara indicated she had an elderly person visiting in April who became sick. Zohara stated she provided 911 with very specific directions but the squad car had a difficult time finding the house. The ambulance also went down Hanlon Avenue and could not figure out where the house was. Zohara stated in her view this is a serious situation and that there should be a fairly easy way to resolve it. Zohara indicated she is not sure if Hanlon Avenue has ever gone through to her property but that it is strange that she has a Hanlon Avenue address when the property cannot be accessed from Hanlon Avenue. Levang asked if the house is for sale. Zohara indicated the house is for sale. Printup asked why the road dead ends there. Gaffron indicated there is a fairly steep slope at the end of the road going down to the wetland and that it is his belief that approximately 30 to 40 years ago there was an informal driveway off of Hanlon Avenue. Zohara asked if the hill that goes down to the wetlands is City property. Gaffron stated there is a 50 or 60-foot right-of-way extending all the way down through the wetland to the railroad right-of-way. Gaffron stated he is sure the road was never extended further due to the topography. The property currently has access from the alley but there is no signage at the alley denoting directions to this property. Gaffron stated the solution may be as simple as erecting a sign. Zohara stated there is also a concern that the alley is not in very good shape and that it is also difficult to access the property in the wintertime. Gaffron stated the City does not have the option of coming in from the south and that there should be clear directions from either the alley or Hanlon Avenue on how to access this property. Levang stated her concern is that the property is now currently for sale and that the road extension may be contingent on the sale. Levang stated she would rather see the developer pick up the costs of extending Hanlon Avenue in the event the house is torn down and rebuilt. Levang stated in her view the City Council should table the request. Zohara stated the house is listed for sale but may be coming back off the market for two or three years.