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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2nd 60day extensionFrom:Joe Thull To:Melanie Curtis Cc:Jeremy Barnhart Subject:Re: LA21-000017 / 480 Big Island / Council Follow Up Date:Tuesday, April 13, 2021 4:11:30 PM Hi Melanie, Yes, let’s extend my application for other 60 days, if that is an option. Here are my notes, from the two discussions, Nancy, Ted Hanna, my wife (briefly), and I met outside. Ted tried to mediate, he revisited what the Counsel and Mayor Walsh had just said, I asked Nancy multiple ways if we could work together if she was willing to share a dock, all my suggestions were answered with an emphatic no and more......, the only thing she said I should do is to withdraw my application and go away. Ted also said to Nancy that it is not just Joe, that he would like a place to park his boat from time to time, he said it would not be that frequent, but he would like that option. After little headway, and not long after that, Ted looked at me and said "I think we're done here." So frankly, I am not sure about the next steps with Nancy, I guess is a neighbor may have to reach out and connect with her. Not sure how you want to capture this….but that is how it went. As a side note: Ted asked Nancy if she would grant me an easement on the other side of her lakeshore lots closer to my lot, she said no as she is in the process of selling it. Ted said if you’re selling I am seriously interested in buying it. Nancy said you better hurry, Ted gave her his business card and said call me I am serious. Ted then looked at me and said if I buy it I will grant you an easement - my assessment, a long shot at best. In the other gathering were the following lot owners: Jud and his wife Bollis's and their son Chris. Dave Saari and his brother This discussion was more open, healthy, and reasonable, which I believe may lead to some concessions/acceptance given what the Council said, neighbors figure it out or we will..... The discussion had a couple of themes: Theme 1: Can't you just find an easement? "I am sure there are other willing parties", but when I asked if they might know someone, no one came forward with a name, I then asked if the Bollis's would reconsider my easement offer and they said no. Jud did not offer up an easement during the discussion, so I am not sure where he stands. I told the group that I had talked to the owner who successfully secured an easement and she indicated that she spent between $25-30K. I said I was open to this if I could find a willing party. Theme 2: Isn't their other points so Bay Place does not turn into a marina, I said there could be one other location -- right-of-way and that the total solution may require a single dock at both right-of-ways that could accommodate up to 4 interior lot owners. (Nancy, Ted, Joe + One Open Spot) Chris Bollis then said, what if the city puts the docks in and then provides a license to those inner lot owners, and they would need to abide by the rules or lose their license, he said this was done on Crystal Lake? (Not sure if I got the lake right) He said this is similar to how Excelsior does it with city docks. I would say this idea/concept by gauging the room had the most neutral to positive response – but that is my sense. I think there is also a sense if the city did it, it would be more controlled, but I am just guessing, and the notion of one location turning into a marina could be mitigated. A third site or expansion option could be planned for, but not enacted – this could create a comprehensive plan addressing today but also with future options. I am open to this idea as well. Theme 3: There will be a rush of interior lot owners will sell creating more demands for docks. I believe Nancy has the biggest option to do this. Next steps: I am sure I missed some things but tried to capture the spirt and concerns, I asked if everyone was in the directory and they said yes, I am going to reach out to Jud and work with him on coordinating a working session and create some scenarios for the group to discuss. I hope this helps, Regards, Joe On Tue, Apr 13, 2021 at 12:06 PM Melanie Curtis <MCurtis@ci.orono.mn.us> wrote: Joe I was watching from home last night. As you are aware, the Council tabled your permit request and directed the interested parties (Big Island land owners) to collaborate on a solution. From Jeremy, I understand that there was some after meeting discussion amongst the Big Island landowners present after the Council tabled the application. Can you fill me in on any relevant points or direction resulting from that conversation? Did the group determine some next steps? The timing of the Big Island group discussions may not align with the Council’s hope to review the application again in 2 weeks. Even so, I would like to put a brief update together for the Council’s April 26th meeting on any progress made so if you could follow up with me early next week it would be helpful. Additionally, due to the City’s review timing on these types of applications (see email sent on April 6th), we may need to request that you either waive the 120-day timing or request an additional extension to allow for a solution to come about. A text amendment to the Code does take a little time and rather than having your request denied, I feel that an extension request from you would be a good thing. The current review deadline expires on June 16th so we have time to circle back to this. Thank you, Melanie Melanie Curtis (952.249.4627 *mcurtis@ci.orono.mn.us All permitting is now done through our new online portal - LINK! From: Melanie Curtis Sent: Friday, April 9, 2021 9:57 AM To: 'Joe Thull' <joethull@gmail.com> Cc: Jeremy Barnhart <jbarnhart@ci.orono.mn.us> Subject: LA21-000017 / 480 Big Island / Council Agenda + Staff Report Joe Please find attached the agenda and staff report for Monday’s City Council meeting. As with the PC meeting, the Council meeting will be held in-person in the Orono City Council chambers. The meeting begins at 6PM; please plan to attend and wear masks. (If I were you I’d show up a little early to get a seat.) Please review the attachments and let me know prior to the meeting on Monday if you have any questions. As we discussed, I will not be in attendance due to a Covid exposure quarantine L but Jeremy Barnhart, our Community Development Director, will be there and has been working with me on your application since the beginning. If you need something on Monday please reach out to him. He is copied on this email and can be reached at 952.249.4626. Have a nice weekend; I’ll be watching the meeting from home. Melanie Melanie Curtis, Planner Direct 952.249.4627 Planning & Zoning Office 952.249.4620 2750 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Email: mcurtis@ci.orono.mn.us Website: www.ci.orono.mn.us All permitting is now done through our new online portal - LINK!