Another Land Giveaway to the Wealthy in Orono
Over the past few years Mayor Walsh and three members of the Orono City Council have approved land giveaways and sales to Wealthy Lake Minnetonka homeowners. Some of these homeowners are Orono Public officials:
1) West Lake Street Public Access Point was sold to Mr. Bob Erickson, a sitting Orono Planning Commissioner in 2021. He has added this to another piece of property to create a buildable lot valued at over $1.4 million dollars. (Hennepin County)
2) Wildhurst neighborhood Public Right of Way and Lake Minnetonka Access Point was given to Orono City Council member Matt Johnson to create a buildable lakeshore lot and other interior lots valued at well over a million dollars.
3) Spruce Place neighborhood Public Access Fire Lane was given away to the two adjacent property owners creating more buildable land and higher value to both private properties.
What do Orono Citizens lose? Public Access and Land Values worth millions. Why is the city staff and DNR against these giveaways and sales? Because it restricts public access to Lake Minnetonka. These lands have public value: they serve as pathways to the Lake and may have further value in the future.
Why would a Mayor of a small town give away Citizen's Land? Let’s ask Orono City officials why they are going against the advice of their staff and the DNR. Citizens of Orono are on the losing end of these real estate giveaways. Please attend City Orono City Council meetings to voice your concerns.
