12/14/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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To the east, across Seneca, is the Monsanto Company on land zoned M-3 Heavy . Industrial District. At the northwest corner of 11th and Seneca is a retail and wholesale painting equipment store on property zoned M-2. On the south side of West 11th across the street are mini-warehouses, Cowboy Country Western Apparel and Supplies, Taco John's, Pietro's Pizza Parlor, and some vacant property with an M-2 zoning designation. To the west is vacant property zoned M-1/SR. The Planning Commission voted 6:1 to recommend approval of this rezoning request to C-2/SR. The site review suffix is included in order to evaluate traffic impacts. Mayor Keller called for ex parte contacts and conflicts of interest. Mr. Obie stated that he has a document showing that he has an outstanding financial transaction causing a conflict of interest. He also has had extensive ex parte contacts. Mr. Obie left the meeting. Ms. Miller stated that she has feinted off many ex parte contacts on this item. Staff notes and minutes were entered into the record. Public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor: Don Powell, 1789 Orchard, indicated that he is a consultant for Fred Meyer. He lntroduced Steve Gale, Real Estate and Properties Manager, Fred Meyer Properties; Cheryl Perrin, Assistant to Chairman of the Board, Director of Governmental Relations, Fred Meyer Properties; and Richard Miller, attorney. Mr. Powell stated that as the Planning Commission found, this request is consistent with e the Metropolitan Plan and City zoning ordinances. This property is in the commercial category. M-2 zoning is not consistent and this rezoning would bring the property into conformance. The Planning Commission determined the public need. The rezoning request promotes the Metro Plan. Approval would allow Fred Meyer to begin construction. As soon as a building permit is issued, they can begin their $8.1 million project. This will provide opportunity for 115-130 construction workers over a nine-month period. Nearly 150 permanent. employees and 250 seasonal employees will be hired with a $2.6 million annual payroll. Comprehensive use is needed for this site and would help eliminate strip develop- ment. Residents in the area must now travel quite a distance to obtain services they could get at Fred Meyer which would save energy and time. This would be a non-polluting business. Richard Miller, 260 East 11th, stated that there was one Planning Commission member who felt the West Eugene Industrial Study should be the prevailing plan for this area and, therefore, voted no on the request. That plan would have caused down-zoning of this property from M-3. This request is an interim matter until the Metro Plan is adopted. The time for conformance is now, since the need is now. Donald Smith, 2221 East Irwin Way, stated that he is a representative of the Carpenters' Union. The building trades are in full support of this $8.1 million retail center, and the jObs are needed. Suppliers of materials would also benefit. The construction industry has the second highest unemployment rate in Lane County. They urge approval of this request. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 14, 1981 Page 5