05/18/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- Mr. Holmer said the pending issue before the council was the recommendation submitted to it by the Planning Commission and the Downtown Commission to open Willamette Street to vehicular traffic between 8th and 10th avenues. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to accept the re- quested ballot language as amended. Ms. Ehrman said the ballot title should include the word "limited" rather "through" to conform to the ballot question. Mr. Holmer accepted Ms. Ehrman's suggestion as an amendment to his motion. The motion carried, 5:2, with councilors Wooten and Bascom voting no. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the Eugene City Council adopt a resolution to keep Willamette Street closed with mandatory review in 24 months. Ms. Schue asked Ms. Wooten if she preferred that approach to going to the voters. Ms. Wooten responded she felt the council could resolve this issue now and avoid dragging out the process further. She said that she thought Willamette Street should remain closed now but that the opportunity to open it could remain a possibility. Ms. Schue said it seemed to her that such action would put possible development on hold for two years. Ms. Wooten said she did not believe that the City would receive a firm proposal for the redevelopment of the 8th Avenue and Willamette Street site within the next ~ two years. Mr. Miller said he had a problem with Ms. Wooten's approach based on the confusion that exists in the community regarding the pros and cons of down- .town and its importance to Eugene's future. He said he thought community airing of the issue was needed, and putting the question on the ballot pro- vides that opportunity. If the measure failed and future development depend- ed on the opening of the street, the measure could be submitted to the voters again. Mr. Holmer said the council's division over this issue indicated why it needed to be referred to the voters. Mr. Rutan said the decision to go to the voters with this issue had been made at a previous meeting after lengthy discussion and nothing has changed since then. Ms. Ehrman said that while she seconded the motion on the floor for the purpose of discussion, she did not intend to vote for it. Ms. Ehrman said the council needed voter a0vice on the opening of Willamette Street. The council needs to let the community and the City's development staff know in what direction it intends to go. Ms. Wooten withdrew her motion. Ms. Ehrman withdrew her second. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 18, 1988 Page 5