02/25/1974 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Side I 1075 "tit 1160 1204 - 1301 Ie M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBER FEBRU~RY 25, 1974 Adjourned meeting of the Common Council of the city of Eugene, Oregon - adjour~ed from the meeting held on February 11, 1974 - was called to order by His Honor Mayor Lester E.Anderson at 7:30 p.m. on February 25, 1974 in the Council Chamber with the following Council members present: Messr~ Williams, Hershner, McDonald (arrived later); Mrs. Campbell, and Messrs. Murray and Wood. Council members Beal and Keller were absent. I - Public Hearings A. RMB Li~ense Application - Bras:s Rail, 1143 Oak Street New outlet for tavern displaced by urban renewal on West Park Street. Staff has no objections. Public hearing was opened. Jon LaBranch, partner representing majority of owners of tavern at its previous location on West Park Street, explained that the license expired while a new loca- tion was being sought. The building at 1143 Oak Street was found desirable for their operation, offering an opportunity for expansion of food services and at the same time retaining atmosphere of the original oper.ation in the urban renewal area. He said the operation would have no machine games, music would be provided by stereo equipment rather than juke box, and there would be no signs on the outside of the building. Mr. LaBranch felt there was a need for this type operation near the downtown area. /i;' A young lady, declining to identify herself, objected to the anticipated appearance of Nelson Rockefeller at the Dorchester conference, a gathering of State Republicans. She blamed Rockefeller for the current gasoline shortage and asked Council considera- tion of a proposal denouncing his attendance at the Seaside meeting. Mayor Anderson declared the speaker out of order and, upon her refusal to acquiesce, declared a short recess during which the speaker and companions were escorted from the Council Chamber. When the meeting resumed, Mayor Anderson explained that the Council was willing to hear any citizen on any matter of concern. However, by the Council's own rules, a set procedure for being heard must be followed. He said the young lady would be heard if she so requested through the proper procedure. Patricia Helmers, 2720 Central Boulevard, strongly urged a favorable recommendation on the application, saying she had found the applicants to be good citizens and try- ing to meet the needs of the community. Speaking against the proposed location were Carlton Buck, pastor of First Christian Church at 1166 Oak Street (across from the proposed tavern) and Ernie Graham, 734 East 23rd Avenue, trustee of the church; and Marcia Thompson, speaking for Thompson Electronics, 98 East 11th Avenue. Their objections were based on the proximity of a tavern operation, which they felt incompatibl~ as well as anticipated parking and other problems they felt inherent with such an operation. Dr. Buck noted availability of beer at a nearby restaurant. He also mentioned the number of youth activities sponsored by ,his church and felt there were many other locations in the city more suitable for a tavern. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony. Manager reported that OLCC contacts with occupants of neighboring properties revealed six opposed to the location, seven not objecting, and six neutral. Mr. Williams moved seconded by Mr. Hershner to recommend approval of the application, bringing to the OLCC's attention the apparent significant neighborhood opposition. Councilman Murray wondered whether qualifying the recommendation in that manner would have any impact on the OLCC's~ction. He was in favor of the application because the structure was located in a commercially-zoned area. He felt the hours of operation most likely would not interfere with church activities or other businesses in the neighborhood, and he cited the good record of the operation of the Brass Rail at its previous location. However he felt the words "significant opposition" should be changed to "some opposition." Manager noted that Council's opinion is reflected in transmittal of recommendation to the OLCC. In the past that-has/usually been on a negative recommendation. This was the first time a comment was transmitted on a favorable recommendation and it was not know whether it would have any bearing on the OLCC's action. The Commission, he said, would have the same information with regard to the application that the Council had. Sfo 2/25/74 - 1