07/08/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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""11II Mr. Ferguson wondered if the community must rely on high-tech, low-paying, e defense jobs for industrial development. He said war is the result of such development. He urged the council to slow the adoption process and all ow citizens to comment on the study. Lynn Pinckney, 2394-4 Patterson, is Student Body President at the University of Oregon. She supports projects which will implement economic diversifica- tion goals and strengthen the scientific community at the University. She was pleased with the Planning Commission recommendations concerning setbacks. Ms. Pinkney said the impact of classified military research on the community is not being considered by any public body. University representatives have stated the Riverfront Park cannot succeed without classified research, Ms. Pinkney said, and, if the City wants to attract industry to Eugene, the public has a right to participate in the decision. When classified research is conducted, the public loses its "right to know." She asked the council to consider the negative impacts of classified research and related industries and encourage public debate on the issue. Betsy Brown, 665 West 5th--#4, did not approve of the Riverfront Park and did not think the Metro Area Pl an shoul d be amended to permit it. Many 0 f her concerns had been addressed by other speakers, she said. She discussed the evolution of high tech development in Eugene. She said the Riverfront Study Committee disappeared from public view for about nine months. She urge d the council to slow down the adoption process for the study. She opposed permit- ting classified research in the Riverfront Park. e John Silvermoon, 2441 Madison, said the Riverfront Park amendment to the Metro Plan should be considered during the mid-period review of the Plan. Many other proposed amendments deal with economic development and industrial land. Currently, there is more industrially-zoned land in the Metro Plan than the projections indicate will be needed, he said. If industrial land is added, some should be subtracted. Mr. Silvermoon said the presence of railroads was one of the criteria used to determine where industrial sites will be located . and where they will not be located in the Metro Plan. He thought the presence of the railroad will discourage the location of industries in the Riverfront Park. Mr. Si1vermoon wondered if there are other sites that could meet the need for industrial development near the University and whether the proposed use is the best one for the riverfront property. He said the center part of the property is directly opposite the University and, therefore, probably will be developed first. Capital investment will be needed for transportation projects. He did not think the council will support an al ternative modal spl it of 25 to 30 percent. He did not think the voters will approve an income tax to support the Riverfront Park. Mr. Silvermoon said the Riverfront Park may force Agripac out of the central ci ty . He said the Riverfront Park may have a negative effect on the Willamette Greenway and subsurface testing for archaeological sites along the river should be conducted. The type of research that will be conducted at the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 8, 1985 Page 4