05/09/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e e - Teresa Bishow of the Planning Department stated that the Downtown Plan material which specified the June 18 DTC public hearing was already printed and will be distributed in the near future. She said that joint public hearings later in the process might be appropriate. Mr. Prichard said that many people will be attending the DTC public hearing. He suggested that the Downtown Commission sequence be left as scheduled and a joint public hearing be held by the Planning Commission and the City Council. In response to a question on the scheduled public hearing for the Planning Commission, Mr. Gleason stated that the schedule provided only one week of flexibility. Ms. Bishow said the request for minutes of the DTC public hearing would also create a time con- straint. Councilor Obie suggested that a joint public hearing by the Planning Commission and the City Council be held on August 6. Ms. Bishow said the DTC public hearing date had already been published. She explained that those individuals testifying at the hearing and those requiring update information would be notified of future public meetings. Mr. McCoy said he recognized the frustration of the City Council. He said the DTC had been pushing the process by preparing for the project; he did not want to see any delays created by haste. He felt that the process will be done correctly. C. Eighth and Wi11amette Improvement Project Referring to a map of the the project area. Mr. Genasci said the DTC wanted to complete the mall without impinging on the Wil1amette Street site. He said the project was expected to take three months, not including tree planting. and that construction would take place over the summer. Councilor Obie said he was concerned that the retail center developers might expand their stUdy area to include the 8th and Wi1lamette area. Mr. Genasci said it was the contention of the DTC that Wi1lamette Street be the main street of Eugene; he felt it was unlikely that the project area would be impacted by any retail center development. He said the DTC wanted to complete the 8th and Wi1lamette Street area. In response to a question. he said that the traffic on 8th Avenue would carry through as currently operating. Councilor Smith said she had received a petition from surrounding retailers. She asked what efforts toward communication with these individuals had been attempted. Ms. Stewart said that staff had been working with the Eugene Downtown Association but had not contacted the property owners because the DTC had just taken action on the project. Ms. Smith said she was concerned with the City moving ahead with the project if objections were being raised by the retailers. Mr. Genasci said the DTC will attempt to address the concerns of the area retailers but added that Bob Coleman. the project designer, had stated that the actual time the area would be torn up was about one month. He said the other work required was minor and could be performed throughout the summer. Ms. Bennett said that the only comments she had received from retailers were those merchants along Olive Street who were concerned about tree planting. Mr. Schwartz said the mall must still be completed under the agreement with HUD. He said he could support the project if the design was generic enough to allow further opening of Wil1amette Street if so desired. He felt that any retailer would desire the area to be completed to present a better image. With regard to the cost of the project. he said that funding was already approved; therefore. the remaining issue was the completion date for the project. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1984 Page 10