05/09/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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-- e e this 800,000 square foot space can be compared to 700,000 square foot retail space in the downtown core in Eugene, and will have significant long-term negative impacts on the community. Mr. Marshall said one of the negative effects of the mall will be in maintaining the viability of the downtown core as a commercial core; another negative aspect was transportation, including the possible doubling of traffic on Harlow Road. Mr. Marshall said he had written a letter to the L-COG Transportation Committee regarding transporta- tion issues, and wished to bring this item to the council.s attention. He asked the council to give direction to the Public Works Department to respond to the items in TransPlan affected by the development, and to give clear direction to the Planning Department to address the issues regarding the development's affect upon the Metropolitan Plan goals of maintaining downtown cores as viable commercial centers. Mr. Marshall noted he had filed an appeal of the Springfield Planning Director's decision, which will be heard by the Springfield Planning Commission Wednesday, May 11. Councilor Bascom asked staff to look into the issue of tinted windows and the ordinance enforcement. Regarding Mr. Marshall comments on the Gateway development, Councilor Bennett said he has had an opportunity to participate in a neighborhood group discus- sion on this issue as well as discussing transportation issues with Dave Reinhard of the Transportation Division. He wished to go on record as being extremely concerned about the potential traffic impact on Gateway and Harlow roads. He noted that Harlow Road is an arterial, not a highway to the Gate- way development, and he said he would resist any action that encouraged increased traffic on Harlow Road as a result. Councilor Bennett said at the same time, the land has been commercially zoned for some years, and the City of Springfield had made it clear that it wished to see substantial commercial development on the site. He recognized that right, and added that the devel- opment would create jobs. Marcella J. Martin, 4062 Marcum Lane, said she was concerned about the adult book store located off 7th Avenue near Waremart. She said she is a housewife and mother, and passes the adult book store often. She is gravely concerned and offended by the presence of the business in the city of Eugene. Ms. Martin said she did not know the law that well, but she felt that every morally upright citizen of Eugene with intelligence regarding the effect these products have on people should be concerned. Recently, beside Waremart, a business has opened advertising IIharmless visual stimuli.1I This was upsetting to her; she did not know what this meant until she called the City Manager's Office, and she was informed it was a topless bar. Ms. Martin said she was shocked. She wished to put this issue before the City Council. Mr. Martin understood that the courts upheld the rights of these businesses in court challenges. She was concerned about this. Ms. Martin said citizens have a right to object to IImorally decadentll types of businesses. She felt that these businesses promote deviant sexual behavior and activity in socie- ty. Ms. Martin encouraged the City Council to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the activity, noting that the only cost to the City would be district attor- ney costs. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1988 Page 2