09/25/1989 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Boles called attention to the amendment of finding #9 and asked for evidence that IIchanges in technology and environmental regulations have lessened the environmental impacts of these industries.1I Ms. Bishow responded that testimony received from the Metro Partnership and representatives of the property owner discussed, in general, changes in industrial operations and their external impacts over time. She said that the current finding in the Metro Plan states strongly that heavy industries are for the most part obnoxious and polluting. Most companies that are considering locating in this area have better control of their external impacts as a result of new technology, more restrictive Federal regulations, and improved enforcement. Noting the large volume of material required as a result of action taken by the council a year ago, Ms. Bascom said she would be more cautious about initiating such plan amendments in the future. Mr. Boles continued by saying that nationally, heavy industries' emissions and the government1s failure to adequately regulate them provide no evidence that progress has been made in lessening the environmental impacts of these industries. He next called attention to the statement on page 51 of IIFindings--Awbrey/Meadowview UBG Amendmentll which claims that liThe long-term environmental, economic, social, and energy consequences resulting from the use at the proposed site with measures designed to reduce adverse impacts are not significantly more adverse than would typically result from the same proposal being located in areas requiring a goal exception other than the proposed site.1I He asked what was meant by IIlong-termll and suggested that e the site may be required for food production within the next ten years. Ms. Bishow answered that the finding referred to by Mr. Boles compares the impacts of the particular area with other similar sites surrounding the metropolitan area on which industrial activity could occur. She emphasized that there is no comparison being made between industrial and agricultural use in the statement. Mr. Bennett maintained that there is no evidence of viable agricultural potential at the site in question and suggested that a reassessment of the agricultural component may be incorporated into a future update of the Metro Plan. Mr. Bennett informed the council that the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (LRAPA) is working on achieving compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations of PM-IO. He reported that a subcommittee has found no PM-I0 point source problem with heavy industry and said this is an indication that industry efforts to address environmental issues on the local level have produced significant improvements. Mr. Boles referred to page 3 of "Findings--Text Amendments to Economy Element,1I and asked for evidence of consistency with the Metro Plan's Economic Goal that states: IIBroaden, improve, and diversify the metropolitan economy while maintaining or enhancing the environment.1I He said that the documentation mostly speaks to the first part of that goal (relating to the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 25, 1989 Page 5