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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Tuesday, January 16, 2018 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Staff received two written comments in opposition to this request. <br />Planning Staff recommends denial of this application because it does not meet the goals of the <br />Comprehensive Plan and the decision would be final. <br />The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. <br />Eric Vogstrom, Applicant, stated he purchased the property in 2004 and constructed a house on the lot. <br />Vogstrom indicated he spoke with Mayor Walsh about this last fall and the Mayor had suggested that he <br />look into vacating the right-of-way because he felt it made sense in this situation since the area is pretty <br />heavily wooded. Vogstrom indicated the property is at an angle and that he has been experiencing <br />problems with snowmobilers cutting across his property to get to the lake. Vogstrom stated he has three <br />small children and a dog and that the snowmobilers could pose a danger to them. <br />Thiesse asked if he would continue to use as it he currently is. <br />Vogstrom indicated he would continue to use it to access his dock. <br />Schwingler asked if the applicant has erected any signs in an attempt to keep the snowmobilers out of his <br />property. <br />Vogstrom indicated it is the neighbors who use it and that the sign does say no motorized vehicles. <br />Vogstrom noted the people who submitted the letters live further down the road and that currently nobody <br />uses it outside of the snowmobilers. <br />Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. <br />There were no public comments relating to this application. <br />Chair Thiesse continued the public hearing to February 12. <br />Leskinen stated historically and in the City's Comprehensive Plan it is pretty clear the City does not <br />vacate lake access points. Leskinen stated the use will not change, and if the snowmobilers are going <br />now, they will likely continue to do so. Leskinen stated the argument could be made that if the <br />snowmobilers are using it, it is a public access. <br />Thiesse stated if motorized vehicles are not allowed in that area, the City should be monitoring that. <br />Landgraver stated he does not see any compelling reason for vacating the right-of-way since these lake <br />access points are a scarce commodity and are owned by the residents of Orono. <br />Thiesse commented the vacation would preclude other people from using the access point. <br />Lemke stated he does not see a hardship. <br />Thiesse stated it also does not follow the Comprehensive Plan. Thiesse stated while it may or may not set <br />a precedent, he is not interested in giving away City land. <br />Page 3 of 17 <br />