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<br /> Mr. Moore said discussions with representatives of the school district had <br /> determi ned that school buses could not stop safely at 22nd and Glenwood <br /> e because of the freeway exit nearby, and if Henderson were closed, no other bus <br /> stop would be available without crossing the tracks. <br /> Mr. Moore said the church he led had been in the area since about 1963 and had <br /> gone from a congregation of about 150 to about 50 persons. He said he thought <br /> the reason for the difference was that people could not find the church. He <br /> asked the council to consider the effects of the closure on the community, the <br /> church, and the children in the area. <br /> Mr. Moore added that he also had received notice of the hearing only today, <br /> which he said was short but appreciated anyway. <br /> Mr. Farthing was given an opportunity to rebut issues raised in testimony. He <br /> said he had been informed that the school bus would pick up small children at <br /> 22nd and Henderson avenues. He also said a sign directing people to the <br /> church had been removed from Farwest Steel property because of City codes. <br /> Mr. Farthing said the area always had had a single access beyond Judkins Point <br /> Road. He said the promise of bicycle and pedestrian access had been made by <br /> Lane County Commissioner Jerry Rust after the crossing had been closed and <br /> residents had presented a petition. Mr. Farthing said Commissioner Rust had <br /> no authority to make such a promise, which was not favored by the Public <br /> Utility Commission or Southern Pacific. He said the crossing now was closed <br /> to all traffic, and he thought that encouraging people to use the crossing for <br /> any purpose was exposing the City to liability. , <br /> e Mr. Farthing said accidents had occurred at the crossing before it was closed, <br /> and that was one of Mr. Fischer's main concerns. He a 1 so sa i d the <br /> intersection at Henderson Avenue and Franklin Boulevard had a terrible <br /> accident pattern prior to the closure of the crossing. <br /> Mr. Farthing said icy conditions and steep hills were typical problems at <br /> several places in the city. He said he was aware of no efforts by staff, <br /> neighbors, or anyone to open the crossing. He asked how long activity was to <br /> be delayed. Mr. Farthing said he maintained that industrial development would <br /> occur in the area when present industrial users started expanding, which would <br /> increase the value and desirability of property and which he hoped would <br /> encourage improvement of the road system. He said industrial development was <br /> being hampered by the narrow width of 21st and 22nd Avenues, which did not <br /> allow access to the parcels that could be used. <br /> Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. <br /> Ms. Ehrman said she was sorry she had been unable to visit the area, and she <br /> asked whether other councilors would be interested in postponing a vote in <br /> order to schedule a tour. Ms. Wooten said she would agree to postpone action <br /> for a visit. Ms. Bascom said she had visited the area and she agreed that it <br /> would be useful for others. <br /> e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 3, 1987 Page 7 <br />