02/27/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e The developer says they cannot build it with the present parking requirements. The Eugene Renewal Agency would like a "good faith" effort toward having housing there. Yet, the City seems to be the loser on this opportunity to have six housing units due to inflexi- bi1ityof policies and procedures. He feels the parking problem would be solved by the people who buy the units. He also stated, however, that if offices are put there, which would generate more need for parking, there is no requirement for additional parking space. Ms. Schue stated she shares the concern with others and would prefer to see houses there rather than offices. She said that no plan was presented by the developer for dealing with parking, which is what she found unacceptable. If the developer had presented an option to the parking requirement, then perhaps a variance would be in order. Ms. Smith asked, when discussion was occurring about changing the ordinance, if that would impact the present project. Mayor Keller answered that this is a pilot project and thinks the council will be confronted with this sort of thing more often. He further stated the council seems to support housing in the downtown area. e Ms. Smith stated that she would support review of the ordinance and reconsideration of the variance request for this project. She also stated the City could assume some responsibility for helping to negotiate parking for a developer as in leasing space in City lots. Mr. Henry stated that under the existing ordinance, space probably could be found but it would be necessary for some changes to occur in policies of the Downtown Development Board. One suggestion that has been made is that the Downtown Development Board provide parking space for small housing projects. He noted that these kinds of conversions, such as second-floor retail stores into apartments, would not be possible unless some leasing options were available. Ms. Miller feels that the council seems to agree on looking at changes in the ordinance regarding downtown parking for residents, especially since they are supportive of downtown housing and realize that people want to have their cars nearby. She feels the ordinance should be changed in a general sense, not for special projects. She also said that this particular project seems to have been poorly planned and many deadlines have been missed at checkpoints along the way. They have already asked for extension on their time and after receiving an extension, came in and requested a variance for parking. She feels that there is not any reason to change the decision for this project, but rather the ordinance as a whole for future impact. Mr. Obie stated he cannot see the negative impact of these six units without parking spaces but could see some positive learning experi- ences in regard to how people would handle downtown parking problems. He would like to find out if there are people who do not have cars and would choose. to live downtown. e 2/27/80--3