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<br /> Ms. Bascom said she was concerned about the timing of the issue and about <br /> lessening residents. property values. She said industries should purchase the <br /> e land if it was wanted, rather than continuing to decrease property values <br /> through actions like this vacation. <br /> Mr. Rutan said the Planning Commission had heard much testimony in considering <br /> zoning for the area. He said plans for the area designated it for eventual <br /> industrial use, but it now was in transition. He said he thought the vacation <br /> would enhance the long-term land use designation and property values by making <br /> it better industrial property. <br /> Mr. Rutan said he recalled rezonings of properties east of Henderson Avenue in <br /> which the vacation of Henderson was discussed. He said the applicant had <br /> requested several rezonings for an industrial complex, and the vacation of <br /> Henderson was a completely logical step in that process. He said he <br /> appreciated the concerns of residents in the area, but he thought the action <br /> was a prudent part of long-term land use planning. <br /> Mr. Rutan said improvements to 22nd Avenue might be considered when it became <br /> a City street, but he did not think it was dangerous. He said the PUC clearly <br /> had no interest in a crossing at Henderson, and pedestrian traffic at the <br /> crossing was "an accident waiting to happen." He said he thought that was an <br /> important consideration. <br /> Mr. Rutan said he felt the application was consistent with all land use plans <br /> and action taken in the past. He said he thought a decision could be made <br /> today, and he di d not thi nk the council should consider emergency or <br /> pedestrian access, but should do everything possible to discourage it. <br /> e Mr. Holmer said Section 1 of the ordinance stated that the City of Eugene <br /> found IIno valid objections made at the hearing or filed.1I He asked whether <br /> that language was legally necessary, adding that he thought seriously held <br /> objections had been expressed at the hearing. <br /> Ms. Ehrman requested that the item be held until the next council meeting. <br /> Ms. Wooten seconded the request, and the Mayor and counci 1 agreed to <br /> reschedule the item to September 9. Mayor Obie said a public hearing would <br /> not be held at that time, and he requested that staff organize a council tour <br /> of the area. He also requested that staff provide information about options <br /> for development of safety improvements on 22nd Avenue. <br /> Ms. Ehrman said she had requested the delay because she thought the vacation <br /> was an important decision for property owners in the area, and she did not see <br /> it as penalizing the applicant but rather as taking the time for a difficult <br /> decision. <br /> Mr. Rutan said he thought staff in the future should organize a tour for <br /> similar requests and items. <br /> e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 3, 1987 Page 9 <br />