07/11/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Bruce McKinleYt 1650 East 26tht was chair of the 19th and Agate Special Area Study Task Force. He emphasized that the area is truly a special one: it has a denser-than-average residential neighborhood; the residential area is quite diverse; the entire special area is heavily influence by the University; and it has a small business area that area residents want to continue as a neighborhood-oriented commercial area. He said these and other factors make the 19th and Agate area special and, thereforet deserving of some special policies. Mr. McKinley also emphasized that the study's recommendations form a package. He asked the council to view the study in this way. Tom Bowerman owns a business at 1639 East 19th and was a member of the task force. He said the Metro Plan and the TransPlan have established alternative transportation goals that the community has yet to reach. He said one reason for this is the fact that so much parking is required by the Eugene Code for businesses; and the existence of so many parking spaces encourages an automobile environment. Mr. Bowerman said the 19th and Agate area is surrounded by a dense residential population; this facilitates the use of alternative modes of transportation. He said there is an opportunity to lower the legal parking requirements for the businesses in the 19th and Agate area. This code change will not only help the businesses but also move the community closer to its goal of increased alternative transportation usage. Mr. Bowerman also urged that imple~entation of the study's recommendations occur as soon as possible. e Eric Gordon owns the Book and Teat a business at 1646 East 19th. He expressed general support for the study and noted that the impetus behind it was the inability of businesses to meet the code1s parking requirements. He said the study recommends that businesses of the area be given more flexibility.in providing the parking necessary to serve their customers. Mr. Gordon noted that the parking recommendations in the study were made unanimously by the group, in spite of the fact that the task force had only two business representatives. He urged expedient implementation of the study's recommendations. Stan Haywortht 775 East 36th Place, said the current parking requirements in the Eugene Code have prevented certain businesses from operating the way that owners and area residents would want them to operate. He urged adoption of the study and expedient implementation of its recommendations. David Rowe, director of planning at the University, said the University supports the study as modified by the Eugene Planning Commission. Helen Jacksont 1935 Columbia Street, was a member of the task force. She expressed a concern about right turns that occur on red lights at the 19th and Agate intersection. She said such traffic movements make the intersection unsafe for children and bicyclists, particularly during the morning hours when children are going to school and drivers are going to work. She recommended that such right-turn movements be prohibited at the intersection from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. She said the City has a precedent - MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 11, 1988 Page 2