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

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e considering locations in western Oregon. It was discovered that few such locations were available, and often at prices higher than those found in larger cities. . . Mr. Douglas said a detailed study of the Eugene area had been performed in an attempt to find a block of undeveloped property that could be shaped into an industrial district where necessary improvements, such as rail and highway transportation, electric power, water, sewage disposal, and adequate zoning protection, could be added. Mr. Douglas said the need mentioned in the article had been addressed by development of 80 acres located west of the 7th Avenue portion of Highway 99 and north of West 11th, in an area within the city limits and adequately situated for subdivision into convenient, accessible building sites. He suggested driving Conger Street today in order to see the success of that 1956 effort. Of particular note, he said, was the extendibility of rail service to that particular block of land. Another notable feature of that property in those days was the fact that 80 acres could be blocked up, zoned industrially, and priced at an attractive rate, he added. e Mr. Douglas said that, thanks to the foresight and leadership of the members of the Eugene Planning Commission and the City Council, the 1988 version of that same dilemma was being addressed both by efforts to add the Awbrey-Meadowview property to the industrial land base, and by the council IS commitment to continue to address the community.s industrial lands needs by defining the strategy as had been done in the Economic Development Strategic Plan now under consideration. He cited that strategy: liTo explore the potential for creating a wider variety of high-quality industrial sites through the addition, redesignation, or reconfiguration of industrial property." Mr. Douglas said the Chamber of Commerce commended the council's efforts and supported its continued efforts in this regard. Jim Saul, 111 West 7th Suite 300, representing the owners of the Awbrey- Meadowview property, spoke in support of the amendments. He noted that preliminary comments had been submitted in written form, and he highlighted key issues in those comments. Mr. Saul said the need for the expansion of the urban growth boundary was clearly evident from the data submitted by the Metropolitan Partnership, indicating that nine firms over the past two and one-half years had required sites of more than 40 acres and with rail access. He added that those firms, involved in lumber and wood products; silicon production; roofing materials; and medicinal chemicals, had been actively seeking locations and were not just miscellaneous inquiries. e Mr. Saul said the partnership also had submitted data indicating that a limited number of sites was available with rail access. He said he had submitted to the Planning Commission an analysis of all existing industrially zoned property of five acres or more with existing or potential rail access in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. He said the number of available sites was extremely limited, and of those few, a number had significant problems, which were described in his MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 8, 1988 Page 4