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Residentially zoned properties will be assessed for the cost of seven feet of the pavement <br />improvements, and for sidewalk improvements. Commercial, industrial and public <br />property will be assessed for a ten foot pavement width, and for sidewalk improvements. <br />Ms. Cahill indicated that just over half of the total cost of the project would paid by the <br />City of Eugene, using revenues from transportation systems development charges. <br /> <br /> Several of the property owners, or their representatives, were present at the <br />hearing. Property owners present included Gordon B. Howard, Michael Keamey (an <br />attorney for Mr. & Mrs. Meeker), Lloyd Henson, Theresa Slocum, Charles Meeker and <br />Patt Meeker. Present representing the Metropolitan Wastewater Management <br />Commission were Todd Anderson (City of Eugene) and Steve Templin (City of <br />Springfield). As Ms. Cahill was concluding her remarks about the City's proposed share <br />of the cost of the project, Mr. Lloyd Henson pointed out that developers in the City, <br />including property owners along River Avenue had akeady paid a portion of the cost of <br />the project by paying SDCs. In response to a question as to what SDCs were, Ms. Cahill <br />explained that SDCs were charges levied on development within the City to have these <br />developments pay a portion of the costs of the public infrastructure that the development <br />would use. Ms. Cahill acknowledged that any recent development along River Avenue <br />would have contributed to the City's SDC accounts. Ms. Cahill reminded the audience <br />that these SDC cllarges served many purposes, so SDC payments by development along <br />River Avenue would have contributed to infrastructure improvements throughout the ' <br />City, and developments elsewhere would be contributing a portion of their payments to <br />the River Avenue improvements. <br /> <br /> A general discussion of several aspects of the project followed, with property <br />owners quickly making statements and asking questions on a range of issues, and Ms. <br />Cahill and Project Engineer Joe Ramirez answering each question in turn. The first <br />question concerned why the costs were to be divided in the way proposed, with property <br />owners paying nearly half the cost of the project. Ms. Cahill explained that the process <br />for division of costs was set by the Eugene Code, which states that property owners <br />adjacent to a major collector will pay for either seven or ten feet of pavement width, <br />depending on the zoning of the property, and which calls for the City to pay for many of <br />the improvements that are called for by established street improvement standards. This <br />led to a question about the need for many of the improvements. The questioner wondered <br />about the need for amenities such as sidewalks, when there were no pedestrian oriented <br />businesses along the street. Ms. Cahill explained that the street improvements were <br />designed according to established standards, some set by federal regulations, others <br />adopted standards of the City. These standards called for the installation of sidewalks, <br />curbs and gutters, street trees and other design elements incorporated into the project. <br />Ms. Cahill also pointed out that there were many pedestrians along a portion of the street, <br />as well as many bicyclists who used River Avenue as a means to gain access to the <br />Willamette River and the bicycle path along the River. <br /> <br /> Ms. Cahill was asked about the presentation that was made to the Lane County <br />Commissioners, and what would happen if the Commissioners said that the properties <br />outside the City limits could not be assessed. Ms. Cahill characterized the discussion <br /> <br /> <br />