CCMinutes - 07/12/04 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

commended Councilor Taylor for her work on behalf of her ward. Major Defoe, 98370 Highway 99, Junction City, shared a picture of the Oregon Horse Center. He said he purchased the property in 1991. He stated that he had taken into consideration its proximity to restaurants and hotels and also how the horse operation would impact its neighbors. To date, he asserted he had invested approximately $6 million in the property. He had not thought that the City would grow around him. He accused the Parks and Open Space Division of deliberately trying to keep the potential land swap quiet. He related he had spoken with his neighbors and none had been brought into the discussion. Mr. Defoe asked the City Council to consider the impact of the proposed action on the horse activities that take place at the Horse Center. J. Malcolm McRae, 90751 Prairie Road, conveyed neighbors' concerns regarding the impact of the land exchange on the Oregon Horse Center. He felt the change the City was pursuing threatened to significantly shorten the life span of the center. He cited the closure of the fairgrounds to horse activities as a story of how neighborhood opposition could affect such an operation. He noted the Region 2050 process called for the property to eventually be absorbed into the urban growth boundary (UGB) and Mr. Dafoe understood this. However, Mr. Dafoe had worked through the permitting process and was in compliance with land use law. He thought the land swap could close the facility 40 years sooner than Mr. Dafoe had projected it would. He suggested there was a different way to develop the park that would not place residences in proximity to the center. Mark Rabinowitz, 28549 Sutherlin Lane, alleged the West Eugene Parkway had just become $1.5 million "more expensive" as the result of hiring a consultant. He commented that this amount of money could have repaired all of the intersections on West 11th Avenue. He predicted a new City Council would vote in a new TransPlan amendment. Mr. Rabinowitz opposed a new road along the Willamette River as he believed it would be ecologically disastrous. Mr. Rabinowitz stated that Lane Community College (LCC) was sponsoring a forum on July 21 as part of its energy management series. The guest speaker was Richard Heinburg, author of several books on oil depletion and the development of alternative energies. He opined that the West Eugene Parkway would not be built due to a lack of petroleum products. He recommended reading an article in National Geographic on oil production. "Drix," 307-'/2 14th Avenue, commented that the river was a great thing in Eugene. He acknowledged that Eugene had to grow, but thought it could grow "with class." He called the river a spiritual connection. He thought, should the City "stick offices there," it should be done thoughtfully. He thought the City of Portland had done a good job of developing along the river. He likened the river to having "only one pretty daughter" and urged the council and staff to be careful in what it did with it. Mayor Torrey closed the Public Forum and called for comments from the council. Councilor Kelly thanked those who spoke in the Public Forum. He said he understood that Councilor Poling had asked staff for an update on the Crest Drive/Friendly Street area issues. He also wished to know why meetings between City staff and neighborhood residents had yet to occur. City Manager Dennis Taylor responded that he would keep the council abreast of what staff was doing in this regard. Councilor Kelly assured Mr. Dafoe that the only thing action scheduled for the present meeting would accomplish was the initiation of a Metro Plan amendment. Pursuant to initiation, there would be several