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

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Ms. Decker said the time period for preparation of the study and publ ic e comment has been similar to the time period for other City studies. The City Code provides ways to regulate toxic wastes, but the council will consider additions to the regulations in September. Classified research on University property should be considered by the University. The City does not regulate classified research anywhere. Ms. Decker said the Riverfront Research Park will probably take 15 to 20 years to develop. Approval of a tax increment district for the riverfront property will freeze the existing tax base. Taxes on additional property value will be used for public improvements in the district. Mr. Farah reviewed the history of the council decision to diversify the local economy. He discussed the opportunity for public comment during the process. He said the Riverfront Research Park is not the only economic diversification project in the City. Money has been spent in other areas. Mayor Obie asked the councilors for comments. Ms. Ehrman said everyone wants more jobs in the community and compromises have to be made to achieve that goal. She will ask the staff to prepare an alter- native for council consideration which will provide a 50 foot setback on both sides of the Autzen footbridge and another al ternative for a minimum setback of 50 feet. She said the classified research issue is troubling. She won- dered if Eugeneans want to discuss the establishment of a nuclear-free zone. e Ms. Ehrman has been disappointed in public participation since she was elected to the counc; 1 . People have not called to tell her their opinions. She wondered how to get people to come to meetings to express their views. She said the passage of a State sales tax will affect the tax increment district in the Riverfront Park. The time for public and council review of the study has been influenced by that. However, she did not think the public review period has been very short. Most citizens are famil iar with the project which was initiated by the Genasci Report. She noted that the council has not yet deci ded about adopting the study. Mr. Hansen said adoption of the Riverfront Park Study is an opportunity to act aggressively. Industries in the Park will probably employ outsiders as well as people who live here now. He will not be present July 17 when the council considers the study again. He said citizens have had opportunities to testi- fy. The committee chaired by Councilor Wooten gave people many opportunities to put forward their ideas. The Planning Commission responded to public testimony. Requests for more time for public comment seem to be ploys to del ay the project. Mr. Holmer will want to discuss a process for involving the council and the public in decisions about specific development proposals on July 17. He sai d the study has been developed over a reasonable period of time. Ms. Bascom said the study should provide for economic growth and address concerns about the environment. She is concerned about the deletion by the Planning Commission of the 25 to 30 percent modal split and hoped some way e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 8, 1985 Page 6