5.3. SR 08-22-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. deal with Orono Road at a later date. However, the County wants to have these two issues tied together. The County's goal of having these transportation issues tied together (in addition to the land exchange requirement) makes the situation even more complex and it would take longer to address everything involved. In general, the City has land to exchange with the County north of the fairgrounds and east ofthe fairgrounds. It is very difficult for the City to give up any of this property as the City's long range plans for this area have not been fmalized for either our transportation network or our land use needs. The land to the north was discussed as a possibility for the extension of the fairgrounds parking area. However, the fairgrounds already used this area for parking during its County Fair. Also, the City does not know whether or not the future road system in this area will include cul-de-sacs and green space or if it will continue essentially as it stands today. . Regarding the land to the east of the fairgrounds, the City has a 1.8 acre triangular shaped parcel north of Orono Parkway and southwest of City Hall. On the surface, this land looked as if it might be appropriate to exchange with the County, as the County could use it for new and expanded parking. However, in looking at the long term future of the 17 acre City Hall complex and what needs could arise in the next 10-20 years, it is difficult for the City to give up this potential recreation or building site. RECOMMENDATION The Park and Recreation Commission had a special meeting on 8/18/94 and this topic was discussed. Comments from the Park and Recreation Commission on this issue indicate that it would be nice to save more trees, but the City has saved most of the trees in this area. The .67 acres of trees is not worth losing use of the triangular parcel. The .67 acre purchase was a good idea, but it just didn't work out. Staff recommends no action on the County's land exchange request and that we put Orono Parkway in the right of way we purchased in 1993. . Due to: 1.) the timing of the Western Area improvement project; 2.) the County requirement for a land exchange and an outright purchase not being acceptable to the County, which makes the transaction more complex and time consuming; 3.) the limited amount of land the City has available in the north and east and the County's desire for land in the east only; and 4.) the uncertainty of the City's long range transportation and land use plan at the City Hall complex (i.e., the 1.8 acre triangular parcel could be put to recreation uses, it could be left alone as open space, or could be used as a teen