01/11/1988 Meeting (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Hale asked about the reason for the annexation request. He said he believed the reason was an inept decision by the Eugene Planning Department, either that it offended the Planning Departmentls "sense of tidiness," or because it was "part of the City's overall approach to balance this budget." He said the request was not timely for the land involved, and he urged waiting until the extension of Beltline. He said development was not imminent, much land was vacant, and the annexation would result in a prohibitive tax burden on residents. Mr. Hale said a right to sewer service without annexation was provided by existing policies, and he objected to annexation. He said land could be divided into developed and undeveloped areas. Mr. Hale expressed concern about the credibility of the City Council and the City regarding a policy of encirclement in other areas of the map. He reported a discussion with former Assistant City Administrator Keith Martin in which Mr. Martin had stated the Cityls intent to annex the River Road/Santa Clara area. Mr. Hale said he supported annexation in some context and he would like to see his part of the city be part of the decisions made in this room. Mr. Hale said he was disappointed at current decisions and at the undemocratic approach they represented. He said the island annexation method might not be challenged on this request, but he could ensure a constitutional challenge if the policy was used in River Road. Mr. Hale said a very strong challenge ought to be raised to this approach, because it was highly undemocratic, and if it 4It was not unconstitutional, it should be. There being no other requests to speak, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Staff offered no comments. Ms. Wooten asked about the Tax Lot numbers, location, and number of residences in the area. Mr. Bjorklund referred councilors to a list of properties included in agenda packets and said that list also showed estimates of tax increases after annexation. Ms. Wooten asked whether it was absolutely necessary to annex residential properties. Mr. Bjorklund said staff recommended including all properties in order to avoid a precedent of excluding certain properties in response to testimony and in order to follow policies in the City Code and Metropolitan Plan. Ms. Wooten asked about the timing and plans for service extensions and when compliance with sewer requirements would apply. Mr. Bjorklund said no cost estimates were available for service additions to the total area. He said those services would include the full range offered by the City, such as police, fire, water, sewer, road maintenance. He said fire and emergency services to the area now were provided under contract with the Zumwalt Fire District, but other services were not now available. Les Lyle of the Public Works Department said sanitary sewer service extensions would depend on development in the area or on septic tank e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 11, 1988 Page 7