08/10/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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'- ' , process and opportunity to come to a reasonable agreement. Roll call vote; the motion carried 7:1, with councilors Bascom, Bennett, Ehrman, Miller, Rutan, Schue, and Wooten voting aye, and Councilor Holmer voting nay. V. WORK SESSION: URBAN RENEWAL PLAN UPDATE (DISTRICT EXPANSION/DEVELOPMENT, PROJECTS/FINANCING City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the item. Bob Hibschman, Development Department, presented the staff report. He said a tentative decision today on expansion will allow staff to proceed with a redraft of the final draft of the Urban Renewal Plan. He reviewed the concept of an urban renewal reserve and said it now appears the reserve does not provide the type of advantages staff had originally thought possible. The reserve does carry the advantage of informing people that the area may expand and provides an opportunity to shorten the process. However, the City would still be held to the responsibilities under the statute such as finding blight, and making sure the City stays within the 20 percent expansion limit. Mr. Hibschman outlined the expansion options, noting that not expanding is still a possibility. Mayor Obie asked how staff arrived at the expansion options. Mr. Hibschman said the map in council's packet is a result of council discussions last December. He said staff reviewed the alternatives and determined how they best responded to criteria devised when the council first looked at the expansion option. Ms. Bascom said she was originally in favor of expansion. However, she said not expanding now seems to make more sense. Ms. Ehrman said the council could delay action, although she said it would probably be presented the same options at a later date. She said she is still in favor of including the area to the west. Mr. Miller said if the council does expand, it should be done with a vision that can excite the community. He said he favors Option 0, and added it is time to reclaim the Skinner Butte area for the public. Ms. Wooten asked if Option 0 would allow for a parking structure to be built. Mr. Hibschman said a parking structure would be authorizeq under the plan, although the council would have to examine the financial feasibility of it in light of other projects in the area. In response to a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Hibschman said it is possible to gerrymander the boundary. Mr. Miller suggested the council consider such an option. Mr. Bennett said it makes sense to try and connect 5th Avenue with the area north of the railroad tracks. He said part of the area lends itself to less intensive development that might follow what the council does in another location. MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 10, 1988 Page 7 "",,:"~-'''. .... ~:~.