Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,January 16,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Barnhart stated if the City Council is not able to hold the public hearing,the matter would be noticed for <br /> the Planning Commission meeting in February. <br /> Landgraver stated in his view the vast majority of interested people have likely seen the signs and that the <br /> question is what is the best thing to do for the people in the audience. Landgraver stated in his opinion it <br /> would be better to make recommendations and leave the public hearing open to the City Council meeting. <br /> Thiesse stated that would also be his recommendation. <br /> It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to continue the public hearings to February 12. <br /> Barnhart noted the Planning Commission will receive any public comment tonight from people who are <br /> here but that the public hearing will be continued to February 12. <br /> 2. #17-3983 ERIC AND LIZ VOGSTROM,2618 CASCO POINT ROAD,RIGHT-OF-WAY <br /> VACATION,6:35 P.M.—6:48 P.M. <br /> Eric Vogstrom, Applicant,was present. <br /> Oakden stated the applicants are requesting vacation of an unimproved right-of-way that is directly <br /> abutting their property. The right-of-way was originally a product of the Winship's Subdivision. The <br /> unimproved right-of-way is a dedicated lake access for pedestrians. The applicant uses the right-of-way <br /> to access their dock. <br /> Oakden stated in the Transportation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, it notes that less than 1 percent <br /> of Orono's lake shoreline has been dedicated as public access corridors. Nearly all the rest is privately <br /> owned and not available to the public for lake access purposes. In addition,the Council recently <br /> approved a resolution in support of preserving parks, open space and trails within the City of Orono. This <br /> unimproved platted right-of-way is identified as open space for pedestrian lake access. Approving this <br /> request would conflict with the recent support for parks and open space. In addition, based upon a review <br /> of the Comprehensive Plan,vacation of the right-of-way seems to go against the policies that are set in <br /> place for the preservation of lake access and open space. <br /> The City Engineer has reviewed this request and made the following comments: <br /> 1. The City's policy is not to approve vacation of City fire lanes/lake access points per the <br /> Comprehensive Plan. <br /> 2. This is lake access point#39 with the listed purpose of providing walking access to the lake. <br /> These lake access points are classified under the Parks, Open Space and Trail Plan in the <br /> Comprehensive Management Plan. In addition,the City Council just adopted a Resolution in <br /> Support of the City of Orono Keeping its Open Spaces, Playgrounds, Parks and Trails in <br /> Perpetuity. <br /> 3. If the vacation is approved,the west end of the right-of-way has a city storm pond in it that would <br /> need protection. The options are that that right-of-way not be included in the vacation or the City <br /> could obtain an easement over the pond, associated pipes, and access way from the road to the <br /> pond. <br /> Page 2 of 17 <br />