08/12/1968 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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"~ 327 .. 8/12/68 . 1 1~% Limitation - The City Manager called attention to a preliminary report on the proposed l~% property tax limitation, copies of which were distributed to Council members. The report resulted from a study by the State Tax Commission of the effect of the limitation on local government financing, based on 1967-68 tax levies. He said the estimated loss to Euge ne , according to a breakdown by the League of Oregon Cities, would have amounted to $791,000 in 1967-68 - on present day levies, about $900,000. The Manager said if the limitation measure is passed at the November election, the City will be forced to look for new sources of revenue, possibly including increases in other City fees, to make up the loss in property tax levy. It is hoped a State-wide organization will be formed through the Governor's office to distribute information with regard to the effect of this measure on local governments and school districts. If not, a local organization should be con~dered for that purpose. Committee meeting held August 8, 1968: "Present: Mayor Cone; Councilmen Anderson, Lauris, Purdy, Lassen, Hayward, and Wingard; Councilman-elect Teague; City Manager and staff; and others. . 2 1. Planning Commission Report - August 6, 1968 a. Amendments, Zoning Ordinance - The Planning Commission recommended amendment of Sections 12.02 and 12.03 of Zoning Ordinance 15158 to include in C-2 zones other permitted and conditional buildings and uses. Dr. Purdy moved seconded by Mr. Anderson to approve the amendments. Motion carried. - Mr. Anderson moved seconded by Mr. Lassen to approve Item 1a of the Committee report. Motion carried. . 3 2. Sign Ordinance - Mrs. Betty Niven reviewed the bases on which the proposed sign ordinance, now before the Council for adoption, was written. She explained the difficulties which will be encountered in incorporating into the ordinance the amendments adopted by the Council which will allow billboards in pedestrian-auto districts. She said if the Council thinks it is important to allow billboards in the downtown area, it will be necessary to rewrite Section 2.1 - Pedestrian-Auto District, and the purpose and scope of the ordinance, and extend the sign moratorium to allow time for revision of the ordinance to incorporate the changes made. September 9 was estimated as the earliest possible time the ordinance could be revised. Mrs. Niven suggested that it may be possible to change the Sign District Map to accomplish essentially the same purpose as intended by the Council rather than rewriting the ordinance itself. If this is done, then the changes could be ready for presentation to the Council by its . August 26 meeting. James Pearson said the Planning Commission unanimously recommended extension of the Highway Oriented District through the downtown area on 6th and 7th. He explained the resulting decrease in the number of billboards which would have to be removed eventually, at the same time increasing the potential area in which billboard would be allowed compared to the regulations originally recommended by the Planning Com- mission. Mr. Pearson said the recommended change in the Map would eliminate the necessity of rewriting the preamble to Section 6, all of Section 2.1, and eliminates incorporating off-premise advertising into the downtown area. Some discussion followed on allowing billboards in the industrial area on specific - streets or in the area as a whole. Mr. Pearson referred to the Comprehensive General Plan for the metropolitan area which is now being developed and suggested the possi- bility of parts of industrial areas being rezoned to a use with which billboards would be incompatible. He suggested, if billboards are permitted in the indus~ria1 area, specific streets be designated, then changes could be made if desired after the General Plan is completed. .. Mr. Anderson moved seconded by Mrs. Hayward to amend Section 6.1 B as amended to ex- clude Pedestrian-Auto District. Motion carried, Mr. Wingard abstaining. Mr.~Anderson moved seconded by Mrs. Hayward to change the Sign District Map to extend the Highway Oriented District to include 6th and 7th Avenues from Lincoln to High. Motion carried. Mr. Anderson moved seconded by Mr. Lassen to approve Item 2 of the Committee report. Councilman Lassen asked about the sign restrictions in the downtown area in relation to the Central Eugene Project. The City Manager said the Eugene Renewal Agency intends to develop a sign review committee which will work with property owners and developers in consideration of signs proposed for those properties which the Agency acquires or on which it has agreements with owners for upgrading, . rebuilding, etc. It is anticipated that initial work on the Project will concentrate in the southern portion, so the five-year phasing out period covered by the Sign Ordinance will not interfere with the Project so far as the 6th and 7th Avenue area is concerned. . Gordon Obie of Obie Outdoor Advertising reviewed some of the restrictions proposed in the new ordinance and the effect they would have on his firm. Don Smith, 2140 Agate Street, said 6th and 7th Avenues between Lincoln and High should be considered a part of the downtown area, and he urged the Council not to extend the Highway Oriented District through that section. A vote was taken on the motion as stated, and motion carried, Mr.Wingard abstaining. Mr.Anderson moved seconded by Mrs. Lauris to exclud McKinley Street from Section 6.1 B as amended. ~ Motion carried, Councilmen Purdy, Lassen voting no; Councilman Wingard abstaining. 8/12/68 - 17 ~