02-20-2018 Planning Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

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