02/08/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e said it is hoped the City will try to minimize the use of public funds prior to development. She said it is expected that operational costs will be higher than development costs since infrastructure lines such as water and sewer are already in the vicinity. Ms. Brody pointed out timing is important if the council wants to have infrastructure improvements made before the site is shown to prospective tenants. Ms. Wooten said she would like staff to research the development costs associated with the site. Ms. Nathanson said part of the minority's reason for not supporting the amendments is that the City has already invested a significant amount of public dollars for developing in a westerly direction. Mr. Gaydos said timing is a crucial factor because the Planning Commission discussed the possibility of a developer paying the costs of extending the sewer lines to the sites. He noted there has also been a substantial amount of development north of the city such as the airport. In response to Ms. Wooten's comment about the cost, he said the majority of the commission felt the use of the property will not change until the City makes an effort to develop the area. Ms. Brody said it is important that sewer and other facilities also be expanded to serve the existing Enid/Awbrey area. Mr. Gaydos reiterated that some of the problems of developing Enid/Awbrey are a lack of dual-rail access, parcel size, and multiple ownership. He said it is imporant to consider that development of Awbrey/Meadowview might have a postive impact on Enid/Awbrey. He said the question that kept arising during discussions was the issue of timing and how long developers will have to wait before sites are ready for development. He restated that the majority of the commissioners believe that, despite the various problems, now is the best time to move ahead with development plans. Mayor Obie asked Ms. Anderson to expand on her statement that there should be a well-substantiated need for development to occur. Ms. Anderson said there is little evidence from the Metro Partnership and the Fantus Report to suggest that industries requiring large parcels of land and rail access are considering locating in the Eugene-Springfield area. Mayor Obie said that is difficult to understand in light of a memo from the Metro Partnership stating there is a need for heavy industrial property. Ms. Anderson said she understood the Metro Partnership.s testimony as saying there is a need for more variety in industrial sites. She said Vicki Dietmeyer, of the Metro Partnership, testified at a Planning Commission hearing that site development does not nessarily have to occur at Awbrey/Meadowview. Mr. VanLandingham said Planning Commission supporters of the amendment MINUTES--Eugene City Council and Planning Commission February 8, 1988 Page 5