09/10/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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't 1 '"" '. II. DESIGN GUIDELINES--Ron Sanetel e Mr. Sanetel explained the process that the subcommittee went through to develop the guidelines being presented to the council for approval. Mr. Sanetel read the Statement of Intent from the distributed "Downtown Retail Development Design Guidelines." He explained and read the points listed in the guidelines. He explained how the guidelines would help the architects to develop a conceptual plan. He said it is a continuing process. The conceptual plan will be compared with the guidelines. The meeting was. opened for discussion and comment. Ms. Ehrman asked what was meant by "Make downtown more 'businesslike' than 'parklike.'" Mr. Sanetel said the guidelines do not address the issue of removing what is presently there. They are intended to direct new development and direct how the new development will interface with what is there. Mr. Genasci added that they would try to make downtown more pedestrian-oriented by having fewer trees and making it more like a street. Ms. Wooten asked what was the size of the area the developers were considering. Ms. Stewart said sh~ would not know until the plan was presented in October. The area under consideration is between Willamette and Charnelton streets and 8th and 10th avenues. Ms. Wooten asked how much demolition would occur. Ms. Stewart replied they had no specific information but that it would be a sub- stanti al amount. Staff had done a survey of the area looking for buildings of historical significance. Ms. Wooten asked if this would not require at least two parking structures. Ms. Stewart said it would. Ms. Wooten asked if the City would have to provide the parking structures. Ms. Stewart said not neces- sarily. The ratio is negotiable. e Mr. Obie asked if the public gathering space would conflict with-the present gathering space at Broadway and Willamette. Mr. Sanetel said this was a valid concern. He said the developer would most likely improve the present area. Ms. Stewart added that in the next two months staff will be looking at the design plan and reviewing the internal circulation and more importantly, the external circulation. Staff wanted to review how this project would fit into downtown. Mr. Sanetel said the developer knows there is opposition to an enclosed public space. He said the developer did not want to stop the project but did want to have input in the form of guidelines. Mr. Obie said they could not have a center without environmental control. If the council members had different thoughts they voice them now. ~ls. Wooten was unsure but did not think the downtown merchants would like an environmen- tally controlled mall. Mr. Neustadter cited the market study. He said an enclosed mall was necessary to recover the area's share of the market. He would not discourage the developer. Mr. Genasci said the developer was not going to present an enclosed suburban mall. He was going to consider all aspects of downtown and consider the external pedestrian flow. Mr. Pritchard added the subcommittee reflected the same concerns. The developer was told what is needed to produce a design that is acceptable. The developer did not see internal or external circulation as a problem; he was willing to go ahead. Mr. Owen cautioned members that merchants will want to be included in the mall. It was important that the project not be too large. They must not ,make the mistake of the present too-large mall. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner Session September 10, 1984 Page 2