03/11/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e ~ Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Mr. Hansen, to adopt the draft findings presented to the council, to go on record as oppposing the closure of the Van Buren Street railroad crossing, and to instruct the City Attorney to work with the Southern Pacific Railroad and, to represent the City before the Public Utility Commissioner if it is necessary. Roll call vote; the motion carried 7:1; Councilors Wooten, Hansen, Schue, Bascom, Erhman, Miller, and Rutan voted aye; Councilor Holmer voted nay. Ms. Wooten asked the staff to keep the council posted about communications with the Southern Pacific Railroad. Mr. Holmer said Southern Pacific Railroad business will probably increase as the Eugene Agenda succeeds. It will behoove the community to understand the needs of the railroad and show some leadership in working with it. Ms. Ehrman cautioned that an underpass just for pedestrians might create a place where crimes could be committed. Mayor Obie recessed the meeting briefly at 9:00 p.m. B. Residential Zoning District and Definition Revisions (CA 84-2) (memo,ordinance, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Gary Chenkin of the planning department presented the staff report. He said the council had considered changes to the zoning ordinance in modules. The council approved the changes in the industrial module and the commercial module previously. The residential module contains a number of changes to the residential zoning districts and updates definitions. New development standards and procedures are specified for certain uses, such as home occupations. Criteria are included for a special small lot of 2250 square feet that will be permitted only in the multiple-family zones (R-2, R-3, and R-4) under certain conditions. Mr. Chenkin said the special small lot provision was developed because some people want to live on a small parcel in a medium or high density district, but they do not want to belong to a home owners' association and have responsibility for common open space. They want a small, low maintenance parcel on a public street with their own parking. The special small lot provision provides this housing choice. Some uses are added to the residential zoning districts and some wording in the code is clarified in the residential module, Mr. Chenkin said. For example, provision is made for visitors to mobile home parks to park and live in recreational vehicles in the park. The provision is a response to repeated requests. Responding to a question from Ms. Wooten about the lot size required for a house with alley access, Mr. Chenkin said it is included in the provisions previously associated with cottage units. The revisions to the residential modules permit alley access units in the RA and R-l zoning districts. In the RA and R-l districts, a minimum lot size of 9,000 square feet is needed before MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1985 Page 8