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

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e Mr. Jacobson reported that the Downtown Commission had reviewed the request and recommended the council's approval. One letter was received from Benjamin Franklin Savings and Loan. No objections were expressed as long as an easement is reserved for public access. Responding to Ms. Ehrman's inquiry, Mr. Jacobson said the vacation would be permanent, but an easement would be reserved. The alley would continue to function as an alley, but a building would occupy the space over the alley. Answering questions from Mr. Bennett about why a vacation would be preferable to granting a permanent easement, Mr. Sercombe explained that when the City owns the alley, it also owns the air space above the alley. The vacation process allows public comment and participation and also gives the property owner some share in the responsibility for maintenance. Mr. Sercombe explained that there is no procedure for vacating a partial interest in a street or alley right-of-way. A procedure does exist for vacating all of the City's interests while retaining an easement. Mr. Sercombe continued by noting the unpopularity of a revocable permit procedure among property owners. Objections to the revocable permit option resulted in using the vacating procedure in a project at Sacred Heart Hospital. Mr. Jacobson agreed with Mr. Rutan that the vacation process would be more expensive for the applicant than would the revocable permit process. He said the applicant would be responsible for the vacation fee as well as an assessment for the alley, while the revocable permit process has no fee. e Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. Jim Saul, 111 West 7th Avenue, spoke on behalf of Selco Credit Union. Mr. Saul introduced members of the Selco board and its chief executive officer. Mr. Saul explained that Selco was seeking vacation because the City has no present mechanism for granting air rights above a street or alley. He said the revocable permit process could not be extended to incorporate the proposed development and allow vehicular traffic in the area. Mr. Saul noted that the proposed expansion is critical to Selco's business and he urged council approval. Gerald J. Resheske, 2730 Chad Drive, spoke as the branch manager of the Benjamin Franklin Savings and Loan. He read a letter from the Benjamin Franklin to Jerry Jacobson that acknowledged receipt of the notice of proposed vacation. The letter indicated no objection to the alley vacation so long as there is reserved for the general public an easement for ingress and egress and the use of the alley by Benjamin Frankline customers is uninterrupted. Restriction of vehicle traffic in the alley would impose a hardship on the Benjamin Franklin. Mr. Resheske asked that the letter be entered as part of the public record. There being no more requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 7, 1988 Page 2