10/15/2012 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 15, 2012 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 10 Curtis pointed out the end of the roadway and noted that it coincides with the right-of-way where the road would be developed. Berman stated his understanding of the drawings is that it Lein concurred that preserving trees is a good idea. Lein asked how many trees would need to be removed as it relates to the trail on the north side of County Road 6. Schoenzeit stated the City is merely requesting an easement for future use and that they are not requiring a trail be built at this time. Lein stated requiring a trail on the north side, in addition to the trail on the south side, would be redundant. Curtis illustrated the location of the trail on the north side of County Road 6. Schoenzeit commented it could enhance the value o the property if there is a trail access nearby. Lein stated he does not agree that it would enhance the property value and that typically property owners consider it a detriment. Chair Schoenzeit reopened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. Tom Carroll, 2600 County Road 6, indicated he is the neighbor to the east. Carroll stated he has been listening to the conversation tonight and that he does not believe there is any reason to have a holding pond. There is plenty of wetland area that is marginal right now. The additional runoff would take a marginal wetland and possibly make it productive. Carroll stated in his view a holding pond would hurt the environment. Number two, as it relates to the trail, there is already a trail to the south. If you go west, there is a trail that leads right into Baker Park. Anybody that wants to use a trail has miles and miles of trails available. Third, when the Medina development went in to the north of this property, the residents in Orono adjacent to it did not oppose it. Carroll stated they perhaps should have opposed it because since that development went in, there have been snowmobiles trespassing on his property and vandalism to the trees. Carroll indicated he has had to call the police and that there have been people shooting firearms in his woods. Carroll stated in his view he does not feel anybody to the north has anything to say about what goes on in Orono. Levang asked how he feels about the proposal. Carroll stated he is in favor of the proposal and that he is in agreement that as many trees as possible should be protected. Some of the trees are experiencing pine rot and have to be cut down. Carroll stated to require a holding pond would be a detriment and that he would like to see more water diverted into the wetlands. There is currently mostly muck in that area and wildlife no longer habitats there.