Item 1: PH on Ordinance Amending Metro Plan (Delta Sand and Gravel)

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FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW In support of our adoption and enactment of Ordinance No. PA 1238, we make the following findings of fact and conclusions of law. GENERAL FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Delta Sand and Gravel Company is requesting approval of Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Comprehensive Plan (Metro Plan) amendments to add 72.31 acres of its property to the Goal 5 Significant Aggregate Site Inventory of the Metro Plan and to re-designate that land from Agriculture to Sand and Gravel. The subject property would also be rezoned from Exclusive Farm Use to Sand, Gravel and Rock Products in tandem with approval of the Metro Plan amendments. The subject property contains 72.31 acres and is located adjacent to the existing Delta mining and processing facility. The property is adjacent to the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary and is located within the Metro Plan boundary. The proposed plan amendments and rezone will allow Delta Sand and Gravel Company to expand its aggregate mining site onto its adjacent property (the proposed expansion area that is the subject of this request). Delta Sand and Gravel Company is a local, family-owned and operated business that was founded by brothers Alan and Lee Babb. The Delta Companies and the Delta Sand and Gravel Company aggregate facility are located on property that has been owned and used by the Babb family for farming and sand and gravel production since 1927. That property, consisting of approximately 474 acres of land zoned for sand and gravel production, contains approximately 8,000,000 cubic yards of aggregate material remaining available for extraction, processing and sale. Delta Sand and Gravel Company estimates that, based upon historical extraction rates, the remaining available aggregate material on that land will be depleted in 10 years. The company owns 72 adjacent acres of land, currently zoned Exclusive Farm Use, that is the subject of this application. Approval of the proposed plan amendment and rezone will allow the company to add that 72 acres of land to its inventory of aggregate resource and, through the use of that land for aggregate mining, extend the operational life of Delta Sand and Gravel Company by approximately 12-15 years. The Delta Companies employ up to 135 persons annually. In 2004 they paid gross wages of over $4,750,000 and paid considerable taxes associated with that employment base. With the approved use of the proposed expansion area Delta Sand and Gravel Company will continue providing that employment level and will continue to be a significant contributor to the Metro area economy for many years to come. Approval of this application will result in a reasonable and logical expansion of an aggregate materials source on land owned by a locally-owned and operated company and located in an area currently committed to aggregate production. Approval of this application will also result in the continued existence of a valuable and long-time contributor to the economic and social well being of the Metro area. BACKGROUND INFORMATION General Site Description The property (proposed expansion area) that is the subject of this application contains 72.31 acres and is located contiguous to and west of the existing Delta Sand and Gravel Company aggregate mining site. The property is located outside of the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary Page 2 – FINDINGS OF FACT