10/10/1983 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Tom Slocum, 2175 Fairmount, Eugene, said he was opposed to the parking program, stating that it was an outgrowth of the WUN Refinement Plan. He said he was a e property owner in the area and had not been apprised of the plan. He said the basis of the WUN and its idea of being a majority vote was erroneous. He said ~e was opposed to the plan because only resident property owners were given lnfonmation on the program, even though a majority of the property owners were absentee landlords. He said most of the residents that would have voted on the program were not in school and therefore were out of the area. He said the program was dominated by a group who felt themselves chosen to decide. He said the neighborhood had lived with the parking situation for many years, stating that developers have been required to establish on-site parking for any new development while some old houses have been made into multiple-units without adequate parking. He said that alternatives were available for the older houses and apartments without parking and that the program was unnecessary. He said the city as a whole must be considered but that a separation had developed between the City and the University, stating that both should promote their common interests. He said that it did not make sense for the City to spend money on a parking program when the large Hult Center deficit existed. He felt a direct subsidy of the transit district should be given before implementing this program. G. V. Stathakis, 830 Hilyard, Eugene, said the program was another bad recommen- dation by staff. He said the program would affect the Sacred Heart Hospital employees, students and employees of the University, poor people and women especially. He said he observed nurses walking to and from the hospital and that the program would create a bad situation for them. He said it appeared the City was getting into competition with the Diamond parking lots and that some e alternative program should be developed, possibly using Jobs Bill money. Those speaking in opposition to the appeal: Jamie Douglas, PO Box 3695, Eugene, President of the University Small Business Assoclatlon, said the association supported the proposed experimental plan. She said the decision was reached after several meetings with Ms. Shu. She said one of the concerns of the businesses in the West University area was the lack of parking, adding that businesses would directly benefit by the increase in customer parking created and the increased feeling of parking opportunity in the area. She said the USBA would monitor the program and would evaluate each aspect of the program. She said the association felt the program directly addressed some of the major concerns of area businesses and therefore deserved a chance. John Hart, 1224 Mill Street, Eugene, said he had lived in the area for ten years and that finding parking had always been a problem. He said he empathized with the area employees, but stated it was the responsibility of the employers, and not the WUN, to provide parking. He hypothesized an example of a neighbor with numerous friends visiting on a continuing basis and he described the effect it would have on the neighborhood. He urged support of the program, stating that the interests of the residents and the commuters were the same. He sairl the large institutions in the area should provide parking for the employees and students. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 10, 1983 Page 5