04/22/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Ms. Leppman said the 13th and Kincaid corner is very congested and hazardous. The proposed regulations increase public safety. Area merchants are cooper- ating with the City to limit the litter problems of the West University Business District. Merchants are voluntarily emptying trash receptacles placed by the City. The vendors have generated litter and taken no respon- sibility for its disposal. The proposed ordinance addresses that concern. The area merchants own small businesses. Their lives, those of their families, and the lives of their employees and their families are directly affected by sales. High rent, taxes, and the inability to draw customers from other parts of the city because of the lack of parking were considered when the owners located in the area. Foot traffic from the University was expected to off-set the high costs. Any number of sidewalk vendors can now locate near the corner and intercept the foot traffic. Since the situation arose last fall, many businesses have had reduced sales. One business closed and others have laid off employees. Ms. Leppman said the proposed ordinance was a fair compromise. Doug Taylor, 1848 Villard, opposed the proposed ordinance. He is a partner in the Campus Pizza Pushcart. He displayed a diagram of the 13th and Kincaid intersection. He said only one pushcart would be able to locate at the intersection. He said obstacles are bike racks, restaurants, the bus stop, and narrow sidewalks. There are only four carts now. They have established a clientele and do not compete directly with restaurants. He did not think the City should set a precedent by eliminating businesses. He recommended a grandfather clause which would preserve existing pushcarts. Three of the four sidewalk vendors had been on the mall. Catherine J. Griffin, 1186 Ferry St., #4, referred to a letter dated April 19, 1985, submitted to Mayor Obie from the Student Bar Association of the University of Oregon. She said the students believe the proposed ordinance will limit the opportunity for law students to "grab a quick bite" and that free enterprise, which includes sidewalk vendors, is needed in the area. Dorene Iannone, 1848 Villard, is a co-owner of the Pizza Pushcart. She opposed the proposed lottery system because it would deny the vendors who have developed a loyal clientele their right to do business. Many vendors could enter the lottery and the sidewalk vendors at 13th and Kincaid now would not have a chance. She suggested a seniority system. She said a business owner should know where the business will be located the next year. Todd Poliskin, 380 West 8th, #2, opposed the proposed regulations. He said the 13th and Kincaid area has been revitalized. The sidewalk vendors have added to the revitalization. He said congestion is not bad. In fact, it seemed the City was trying to bring back congestion in most parts of the city. Students have considered 13th Avenue a living theater, he said. Anthony Olin, 1905 9th, sells flowers. He did not think flower vendors should be included in the restrictions for the 13th and Kincaid area. He said flower vendors rent many spaces. The purchase of a business license would decrease thei r profi ts. He questi oned the "100-feet from a freeway ramp restri cti on" and the proposed lottery. He cleans up for 300 feet on each side of the road and, in that way, helps the community. He said the proposed ordinance will put some people out of work. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 22, 1985 Page 4