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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,February 20,2018 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Winning stated while there is sanitary sewer running underneath the property requested to be vacated, <br /> there is not a manhole on the actual right-of-way and no utilities currently above ground on the right-of- <br /> way. <br /> Winning stated it is their understanding there has been some discussion about placing a generator on that <br /> right-of-way but there has been no formal notification to the neighbors. Both property owners would be <br /> happy to give an easement to the City so they can access that generator. <br /> With regard to the right-of-way, it is not currently being used for anything and was originally intended to <br /> extend up to North Arm Drive. Winning stated it is their understanding the front part has previously been <br /> vacated and the original purpose of the right-of-way would no longer be applicable. Because there is now <br /> a house in that area,there could not be a street running up there,which was the reason for the original <br /> vacation. <br /> Winning stated the neighbors generally support the vacation with regards to the turnaround and that the <br /> generator would primarily benefit one neighbor. Mr.Merrill does understand the need for the generator <br /> and would be willing to provide an easement for access. <br /> Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. <br /> Robert Hanna, 1153 Elmwood Avenue, stated this part of Orono has changed greatly in the last four <br /> years,and that if you look at the lot lines and the roadway, it is a mess. The platted road currently goes <br /> through three mailboxes and a little corner of the garage on his property. Hanna commented he is not <br /> sure how that happened but that it is a mess and has gotten worse with two more houses being built. <br /> Hanna stated from his perspective,the pavement improvement is on his lot and that he understands the <br /> need for emergency vehicles to turn around. The back part of the lot,which is what is being talked about <br /> tonight,is unused, and if the road could be straightened out,that would be very helpful. Hanna <br /> encouraged the Planning Commission to look at this with fresh eyes and say that the proposed vacation <br /> makes sense as long as the City can access whatever they need to. <br /> Hanna noted the utilities are already running over what is owned by him and has never been an issue. It <br /> will not be an issue if the lot is vacated. Hanna stated what is on the map is not what is really being used <br /> and owned currently and that he would encourage the Planning Commission to look closely at what is <br /> happening in that back corner. <br /> Jeff Craig, 1205 Elmwood Avenue, stated he does not support the vacation, and that the unfortunate piece <br /> is that all of the traffic from 1161 Elmwood all the way up the road has increased since he purchased his <br /> house. In the past few years two more houses have been built,which has created three times the amount <br /> of traffic. <br /> Craig stated the second piece is the turnaround. The plat as currently mapped is not really accurate as far <br /> as what the space is. The mail truck,UPS,garbage people and other vehicles have to back down <br /> Elmwood Avenue to access that area. Craig stated the way that it is being used right now is that the right- <br /> of-way is being used as a way to access the hill because vehicles cannot go up from the street due to the <br /> steep topography. <br /> Page 6 of 12 <br />