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noise issues. He noted that he had written the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the building. Charles Peters, 2435 Potter Street, member of the Board of Directors of the WOW Hall, wished to remind everyone present that the process for the development of the site adjacent to the WOW Hall had transpired over the course of more than a year and the public had many opportunities to comment on it. He stated that the Ridenour Building had been studied for 20 to 25 years and that the roof was being held up by columns and the walls were bowed. He explained that the WOW Hall supported the project because the developers had "bent over backwards" to attenuate the sound issues and because the developers were a non-profit that sought to benefit the community. He thought it looked like a win-win situation and that the WOW Hall could fare much worse with an adjacent commercial development. He supported approval of the project. Councilor Poling closed the Public Forum and opened the floor for councilor comments and questions. Councilor Kelly thanked those who testified for speaking at the forum. He averred that he did not hear anything in Councilor Bettman's remarks at the public hearing equivalent to what was reported in the paper. He thought the councilor's comments were interpreted by the reporter and asserted that one should not believe everything one read in the paper. Regarding the Whitbeck Boulevard situation, Councilor Kelly asked staff to provide a memorandum that indicated what the City committed to, what the condition of the street was, and what the City and the property owners could do to mitigate the situation. Councilor Taylor thanked everyone for speaking. She noted her familiarity with the Whitbeck Boulevard situation and agreed that the City had made promises that it had not followed through with. Councilor Taylor said, regarding the CNR project, that infill was damaging neighborhoods throughout the City. She thought the City land use codes needed updating. Councilor Taylor registered her agreement with Mr. Handy's assertion that the City should not be in a rush to form an enterprise zone. Councilor Taylor thought there should have been a greater opportunity for an open process in the potential development of the property adjacent to the WOW Hall. She called the WOW Hall a significant part of the Eugene downtown scene. Councilor Solomon thanked Ms. Jackson for testifying regarding the panhandling issues in the area where she did business. She appreciated that the topic was kept in the forefront of the council and hoped that the council would take steps to address it. She asked the City Manager about a report that covered the topic of panhandling that was slated to be presented. City Manager Dennis Taylor responded that there was a working group of people from the Public Works Department, the Eugene Police Department, and the City Attorney's Office who were working on this report and he was uncertain as to when it would be finished. He said he would bring it before the council when it was done. Councilor Bettman thanked those who testified. She thanked Councilor Kelly for his clarifying comments regarding her testimony before EWEB. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 2005 Page 4 Regular Session