09/12/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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t . e council to form a Eugene Tree Commission with a limited duration of two years to study the existing tree ordinance and related issues. She felt that the commission would demonstrate the concern of the City for the trees but would also stress the need for the City to improve its transportation system. Councilor Hansen felt that the ballot measure would stop any opportunity for future planning by the City. He said the prospect was even worse than he had expected when he first asked for the report from staff. Councilor Wooten said she had suggested an idea to staff similar to Ms. Bascom1s but was informed that it would be unacceptable because staff did not want to. proliferate the number of boards and commissions. Ms. Bascom said she had been informed that a committee with a limited duration would be more acceptable. She asked for input from the council on her suggestion. Mr. Gleason did not believe there would be any staff resistance to a major tree program, stating that the Planning Commission had recommended a design review committee to address the issue of the trees bordering 6th and 7th avenues. He said the design review resulted in a proposed loss of six trees out of 31 and that 60Q additional trees were proposed for the three phases of the widening project. He stated that he has continually proposed a beauti.fi- ca ti on program for II ga teway s II into the ci ty . He warned that traffic will overflow into the neighborhoods if the 6th/7th Corridor is not constructed. He did not believe that four lanes in that corridor and the elimination of six marginal trees would destroy the livability of Eugene. e Councilor Ball said he would support Ms. Bascom's idea, stating.that the residents of his ward had shown interest in street beautification. Counci 1 or Obie encouraged Ms. Bascom to pursue her proposal and return to the council with a resolution that outlined the difficulties created by the initiative and the past council position regarding trees. He said the resolution should address future measures to deal with historic trees without prohibiting community development. Ms. Ehrman asked Ms. Bascom to contact those individ- uals involved with the initiative measure to keep them informed of her proposal. Councilor Hansen agreed with the comments of Mr. Gleason regarding the Design Review Committee for the 6th/7th Avenues Widening Project, stating that staff had worked to save the most number of trees within the project area. He fe 1t that staff was dedicated to the beautification of the streets. He commented that the real issue behind the initiative was not saving trees but stopping the orderly development necessary for Eugene. He said he would support Ms. Bascom's efforts. Councilor Wooten said she supported a committee or policy approach to address tree maintenance and planting efforts. She said the proposal should not be attached to an initiative for 6th and 7th avenues. Ms. Bascom said the intent of her proposal was to demonstrate that the council cared for both trees and transporta ti on. Councilor Holmer said he supported Ms. Bascom1s proposal but felt that the council must clearly address and assign some responsibility to the ballot measure. Mr. Obie said he understood that Ms. Bascom would prepare e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 12, 1984 Page 7