11/25/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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II. PUBLIC HEARINGS e A. Planning Commission's Recommendation on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 6th/7th Extension Project (memo, background distributed) City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the item. Dave Reinhard of the Public Works Department presented the staff report. He said proposed alternate routes 1 and 2 were shown in the wall display. He described the Planning Commission's recommendation for Alternate 1, saying the State would make the final decision, and the City's role would be advisory. He said the Planning Commission recommended shifting the roadway north as outlined in part 2 of the memo because of landowners' requests for a more logical division of property. Mr. Reinhard described the proposal for an elevated roadway at the eastern end of the project between the area of Conger and Highway 99 in order to preserve local circulation at grade and eliminate interference with railroad spurs. He said part 4, dealing with wetland mitigation, had been arrived at based on testimony that those were the most significant areas. Mr. Reinhard also described part 5, calling for consideration of the Amazon-Fern Ridge bike path when the final design work is done. He described the process for council consideration, including tonight's hearing and consideration for action at the December 4 meeting. He said the State Department of Transportation would hold a hearing on December 18 and e would issue a recommendation and analysis of testimony at approximately the end of January, when it would return to the City Council. Mr. Hansen opened the public hearing. Jeri Cohen, 825 East Park, Eugene, representing the Willamette Valley Company located at 660 McKinley Street, said the company was concerned about the east end of the proposed project, where Alternate 1 would bisect company property. She submitted written comments and asked that the council seriously consider retaining the 5th/7th one-way grid system as a feasible alternative to either of the routes being proposed. She said the recommended route would make continuation of business impossible at the present location, and would have financial impacts on Eugene and Lane County. Jim Saul, 111 West 7th Avenue, Eugene, representing Bradley Trust, owners of 63 acres extending from Danebo to Terry Street at the western end of the project, said the proposed route would affect Bradley Trust, and they strongly supported the recommendation submitted by the Planning Commission and urged that the council proceed with the project. He said they recognized that changes might be necessary, but were convinced that the facility was of critical importance to the entire city and to the west Eugene area. Peter lafferty, employed at 310 Seneca Road, Eugene, spoke in opposition to all three alternatives. He said Eugene eventually would need a better east-west corridor, such as 1-105, which was already 60 percent in place. Mr. Lafferty said 6th and 7th would not carry the amount of traffic that would e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 25, 1985 Page 3