02/08/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e "We should not encourage urban sprawl," Ms. Lovinger said, adding that if the 200 acres were rezoned for special heavy industry, "without doubt, the camel's nose is inside the tent." She said Mr. Stewart had made it clear that his desire was for a 500-acre-plus medium- to heavy-industrial park, which would result in additional pressure to expand the urban growth boundary in another few years, with the sacrifice of more agricultural land. Ms. Lovinger said industries of a similar sort clustered together, and she cited an observation, made by City of Portland Chief Land Use Planner Michael Harrison at a previous hearing: In our research, we have found that industry likes to be part of a clearly identifiable industrial area. They have found that to be a good neighbor is in their interests, and it is easiest to be a good neighbor to another industry. Too small an area will not foster the establishment of the clear industrial identity. An area with less than 250 acres will have so little area in proportion to its perimeter, that its identity will tend to blur with that of the surrounding areas. Ms. Lovinger said she contended that establishment of special heavy industry on the Awbrey-Meadowview 200 acres would breed more industrial development to the north and east. Ms. Lovinger said it also should be known that plans existed to sell the Southern-Pacific rail line in the near future, and according to an article in the November 16, 1987 Oregonian, the Burlington-Northern railroad recently had been sold to private operators. Consequently, she said, the future of those two lines was uncertain, and reliable rail service was not a given at this time. Until demonstrated need was proven for the rezoning of the parcel, Ms. Lovinger said it should be retained in the community's valuable agricultural land bank. Sue Girardeau, 2398 Douglas Drive, represented the League of Women Voters of Lane County, a group of about 250 members in the area. She said the league believed the amendment should not be adopted at this time, but should be a part of the normal Metro Plan updating process, when this and all other areas and factors could be considered. Ms. Girardeau said many factors argued against extending the urban growth boundary in this piecemeal manner, especially with regard to this property. She said adoption would require exception to Oregon Statewide Planning Goals, especially Goal 3, regarding preservation of agricultural land, and Goal 14, regarding extension of urban services. She said the action would be subject to legal challenge, and adoption would require a basic change in the philosophy expressed in the current Metro Plan, to include the statements, "encourage large-scale heavy industrial development," and "improve land availability for industries dependent on rail access.1I Ms. Girardeau said those were the most polluting of industries, and with regulatory control of emissions having been proven MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 8, 1988 Page 11