Item 2: Ordinance on Minor Code Amendments

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ATTACHMENT E ? Clarifications Amendment 11—Add Definition of Alley Access Only Lot/Parcel and Clarify Existing Prohibition Mr. Carroll expressed concern about the potential impact to the pedestrian environment and to traffic flow with new street accesses being created. Additionally, as the City moved to increase density and look for infill opportunities, the street tree stock would be increasingly relied upon to provide valued neighborhood amenities. He was hesitant to recommend the amendment as it was currently written and offered additional language related to the 12 foot maximum driveway width, one way driveways and alley access abutting arterials that was recorded by staff for inclusion in the final draft document. He was concerned that creating new driveways increased the amount of impervious surface, as well as creating conflicts with neighbors when driveways and parking areas abutted. Mr. Nystrom stated the proposed amendment provided greater flexibility to applicants, and the suggested changes would limit that flexibility. He opined the suggestion of one-way driveways could have unintended consequences related to paving and circulation concerns, adding traffic safety access and egress issues could be addressed with existing tools. Mr. Lawless could not support Mr. Carroll’s suggestion. He thought with consideration of required space for street trees, utility meters, and driveways, there should be a way within reason to accommodate all of those items. He was concerned on the proposed limitation on a one-way driveway that could create problems that were counterproductive to the amount of paving. Responding to Ms. Kneeland’s question of was there a City policy on adding curb cuts to arterials; Ms. Keppler said the City had a general policy on new connections on City streets. Furthermore, a Public Works department advisory committee (DAC) for an access management study was in process. The strategy in access management was to limit the number of accesses and to control their locations related to intersections. She added code amendments for the access management update would be brought to the Planning Commission in January 2009. Mr. Carroll stated many alleys were not improved, particularly those in older neighborhoods, and improvements to alleys was a public works rather than a land use issue. He thought it important to use alleys more effectively and cautioned against creating more impervious surfaces prior to adoption of the MINUTES—Eugene Planning Commission June 2, 2008 Page 3