08/17/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. e Responding for staff, Mr. Shelton noted that the issue of traffic spillover onto 8th Avenue had been addressed in the Planning Commission's recommendations. Timothy Sercombe, City Attorney's office, stated that in his judgment a vote of the people was not necessary to authorize the project. He added that the City Council had the option of an advisory vote, but that this would be a political rather than a legal decision. Ms. Decker, Planning, responding to neighborhood concern about increased traffic on Chambers bisecting neighborhoods, commented that this would occur whether the connector was built or not, according to the T2000 Plan. Councilor Wooten inquired about the cost of relocating displaced businesses. Ms. Andersen, Lane County Engineer, replied that the costs of right-of-way acquisition were listed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, but were not broken down further. In response to another question by Councilor Wooten, Ms. Andersen said that though residents of affected properties had been sent notifications, no responses had been received. In response to a question from Councilor Obie, Ms. Andersen stated that Star Lumber was a major property owner so that it would be extremely difficult to totally avoid its property, but that all possible steps would be taken to reduce the impact. She added that there would be access to all remaining portions of the property. Councilor Holmer inquired what effect a vote would have on the project. Ms. Ander- e sen replied that the County would defer the project until after any vote. Councilor Wooten, noting that she represented the area affected by the project, said that she wanted a staff report on mitigation efforts for affected businesses and expressed her concern over spillover traffic into abutting neighborhoods. She said that the final Environmental Impact Statement should include funding and plans for data collection to mitigate the effects of the project. She added that she wanted a firm commitment, not only to study, but to mitigate spillover traffic problems. Mr. Shelton said that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement figures for right-Of-way acquisition were $2.6 million for option 1 and $2.9 million for option 3. He suggested that the City Council would have the oppor- tunity to re-examine the issue of impacts on neighborhoods when the final Environmental Impact Statement was reviewed. Mayor Keller noted that the motion approved by the Planning Commission covered the concerns on this issue raised by members of the council except for the specific allocation of funds, which he suggested could be simply added to the City Council's motion. Councilor Obie proposed a thirty-day delay to address concerns raised, such as traffic spillover problems and the jobs lost at Star Lumber. Ms. Decker replied that such a delay would not affect the issue of traffic problems, and that Star Lumber was in the middle of the right-of-way, and would inevitably be impacted, though discussions would be held to attempt to mitigate the effects. She noted that staff's right-of-way option 4 was an attempt to mitigate effects on businesses. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 17, 1983 Page. 4