05/24/1982 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e 2. Property located along the east side of Coburg Road south of Beltline Road from R-1 Low-Density Residential District (Tax Lot 11900) and RA Suburban Residential District (Tax Lots 12000, 12100, and 12200) to C-2/SR Community Commercial District with Site Review Procedures and a change of Sign District from Residen- tial to Professional-Office Sign District (Liberty Communications, Inc.) (Z 82-7) (map, background information distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Jim Croteau, Planning Department. Mr. Croteau said that the southern portion of the property in question was developed with the studios of KEZI-TV, and the offices of Liberty Communications. He said that there was currently one single-family dwelling on the northern parcel. He said that KEZI located on this property in 1960, under a Lane County special permit. He said that the property was annexed to the City in 1966 and zoned RA. He said that approval of the request before the council would allow KEZI to expand onto the adjacent property. Mr. Croteau said that the Planning Commission had held a public hearing on this item on April 6, 1982, and voted unaimously to recommend approval. Mr. Croteau noted that Planning Commission President Randy Thwing was present to respond to questions from councilors. No ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest were declared by councilors. Staff notes and minutes were entered into the record. Public hearing was opened. Carolyn Chambers, 2225 Coburg Road, said she was executive vice president and treasurer of Liberty Communications. She said that Liberty Communications and KEZI have 135 employees, with parking for 70. She said that all corporate management for the 35 cable systems and 6 television stations owned by Liberty Communications is conducted from Eugene. She said that the business needs space for future growth. Jim Putney, 2225 Coburg Road, said he was the manager of KEZI-TV. He said that parking on the business's site is very difficult. He said that the rezoning was needed to provide adequate space for parking and for expansion of the business. Malcolm Scott, 101 East Broadway, said he was an attorney representing the applicant. He noted that the applicant had addressed all the goals and guidelines of the Land Conservation and Development Commission in his application. He said that the business had been located at this site for over 20 years and that there was no demand for residential use of the land. He said that this business contributes and will continue to contribute to the economic vitality of the area. He said that the applicant needs to remain at the present location to maintain visual line-of-sight connection with its transmission tower, located in the Coburg hills. There being no further testimony, public hearing was closed. Mr. Hamel said he had witnessed the parking problems at KEZI and supported the rezoning. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 24, 1982 Page 12