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<br />ARTHUR C JOHNSON <br />JACOB K. CLIFTON, JR <br />RICHARD L LARSON <br />DOUGLAS G. SCHALLER <br />DEREK C. JOHNSON" <br />MARILYN A HEIKEN <br />SCOTT CLUCAS <br />MICHELE C. SMITH <br /> <br />JOHNSON, CLIFTON, LARSON & SCHALLER, P.C. <br />ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW <br />975 OAK STREET. SUITE 1050 <br />EUGENE, OREGON 97401-3124 <br />(541) 484-2434 <br /> <br />RICHARD L LARSON <br />E-Mail: rlarson@)cic.com <br /> <br />DARLENE RUIZ <br />AssIstant <br /> <br />E-Mail <br />DIRECT FAX <br /> <br />~~Also Member California and Washington Bars <br /> <br />March 7. 2006 <br /> <br />KEN GUZOWSKI, SENIOR PLANNER <br />PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPT. <br />99 West I oth Avenue <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br /> <br />Re: BENEFITS OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES <br /> <br />Dear Ken: <br /> <br />I understand that the City of Eugene is contemplating whether to allow historic residential <br />properties to enroll in a second IS-year special assessment. <br /> <br />As you know we recently applied for a second IS-year special assessment for the Tiffany <br />Building which is a mixed use structure. While the initial IS-year term was a major inducement <br />to the owner/investors to have the building renovated in accordance with historic guidelines, the <br />second IS-year term was also important to assist the owners in undertaking needed <br />refurbishment and other improvements to maintain the historic character of the building on an <br />economically viable basis. <br /> <br />Historic structures are important to the City's landscape and identity. However there are certain <br />features of historic structures which make renovation more expensive. Through the special <br />assessment program the difference in cost can be brought more closely into alignment making it <br />for an owner/investor to pursue and maintain historic renovations rather than <br />implementing other lower cost but historically inconsistent solutions. <br /> <br />I hope that the City will recognize the need for and benefits of allowing a second IS-year <br />assessment period for residential properties. <br /> <br />Very truly yours, <br /> <br /> <br />Richard L. Larson <br /> <br />RLL/dr <br />