05/14/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilwoman Beal said she understood that Plan 2H was the choice of the State Highway De- partment. Her impression was that Plan 2G would be put into operation anyway while await- ing outcome of request for approval of 2H~' Mr. Williams said it was not his intent to cbn- vey th~t he had the inside word tha~ the Secretary of Transportation preferred one plan over the other, only that chances are very slim under the current law of obtaining ap- proval of either ~ne. -.- Fred Manela,. 88 North Madison, called for point of order, saying a motion was on the floor at the time Mr. Williams' motion was made. Mayor An~erson explained that action taken in committee is unofficiai so that the p~esent motion i~ considered the original one. Councilman Murray felt it highly unlikely- Plan 2H would be acceptable to.~the neighborhood because of congestion, merging of traffic, etc. .He said he was aware of the difference be- tween the two choices and was not opposed to 2G as a possible way of keeping the ramps open but that he would still favor 2H. Mr. Williams said it would probably take a year or two to settle on a transportation plan and another long period of time between Council action and decision by t he Secretary. He explained he was trying to convey thinking in the Secretary's office on ~robable action at that level. Councilwoman Campbell wondered whether Councilman while in Washington or on behalf of this Council. to a friend and the discussion in no way CQUld be Secret~ry nor did it have any legal standing. Williams was speaking on a personal basis Mr. Williams explained he was speaking construed as a formal request. to the Councilman Wood .recognized the conflict between retaining the residential neighborhood and expanding commercial use already there, also the safety hazards involved in moving traffic on and off the ramps. He felt Plan 2H a piecemeal approach with a iong-range impact so far as. decisions which could restrict future planning, or even the intended result of the Charter amendment. He.favored retaining the ramps, but if the request is denied and they are closed he felt it could bring realization of the real impact and spur long-range practical solution to the entire problem. . Councilman Murray said Plan 2H was very clearly the sounder of the two proposals and was selected on the basis of all testimony presented, so it did not seem right to accuse those in favor of that plan of ignoring safety factors and other considerations. However he was prepared to support 2G if it is more-likely to be approved. It is not satisfactory but if it assUre~ keeping the ramps open, he would be in favor of it. Mr. Williams said he. didn't think either alternative would be approved, but if the law is changed to give the Secretary authority his impression was that either 2G or 2H would be acceptable. The question he was trying to determine in Washington was something to give the community options for' a short time while .getting a transportation plan adopted.' There was further discussion on Pian 2H as opposed to Plan 2G and relative costs and safety factors. Manager noted that the preference of the Highway Department was to disconnect the ramps, not Plan 2H. It was the most acceptable alternate if the City decides to retain the ramps. He reviewed Mr. Royer's testimony on marginal safety of 2H, and said 28 was con- sidered less safe on an extended basis. He said it should be clarified that the only way of implementing Plan 2H was use of 28 ,so regardless of the decisi~:m on this motion Plan 2G would be implemented 'and at no cost.. Manager explained that Mr. Williams' trip to Washington was not on behalf of the City but was a personal business. trip and he pursued the question of the ramps while there. Manager reminded the Council that .the Assistant Superintendent of School District 4J in his testimony- qualified his recommendation by sahing only if the facility is safe should the ramps be kept. open. . Councilwoman Campbell said she would vote against Plan 2G because she was concerned that it would lead to an absolutely permanent situation. She recognized funds would be needed to implement Plan 2H but felt the ramps could be removed after ten years if it is decided to build the Roosevelt Freeway. Vote was taken on the motion as stated. Motion carried, all councilmen present vote aye, except Mrs. Campbell voting no. Mayor Anderson strongly recommended that the Council take some specific action to accelerate a solution to transportation problems in the northwest area. He suggested perhaps a special committee to see ~hat steps might be taken to speed up revision of the ESATSplan. T. Rezoning area on east side Portland between 29th and 30th. from RA to R-2-4 SR with minimUm of 4000 sq. ft. per unit (Pohll, O'Conner, Melevin) - Set public. hearing for May 29,1973 Approve '. u. Vacation West 13th between Amazon Channel and City View (McKay) - Call public hearing for June 25, 1973. Approve V. Designated Truck Routes - Set public hearing for May 29, 1973. Approve R. Council Minutes, March 27, 1973 - As circulated ,...,-",.,\ ~. ,~ '.'.' Approve ,~+ 5/14/73 - 14