02/12/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e J. H. Jeppesen, 1883 Labona Drive, identified himself as a long-term neighborhood resident and testified against the proposed request. Mr. Jeppesen urged the council to support the Planning Commission's recommendation for retaining a predominance of single-family dwellings on Labona Drive. He noted that the proposal to parallel a road out from the north side of Maxwell Road, will greatly compound already existing traffic problems. Catherine F. Westra, 1915 Labona Drive, spoke against the request for annexation and zone change and submitted additional testimony in opposition to this request from neighbors not present at this hearing. She concurred with Mr. Hinz's concerns for emergency evacuation of the area, and asked whether public testimony would be allowed at the site review hearing. Randy Prince, PO Box 927, spoke about the code requirements for parking spaces. He noted that in light of the apparent conflict that exists between considerations for traffic and the need for housing in this area, this annexation provides the impetus for the City to reconsider its code requirement for parking spaces. There being no additional requests to speak, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. Responding to Mr. Gaskin's concern, Ms. Czerniak said that the seven-day delay process allowed at the Planning Commission level is the result of a change made at the last legislative session which allows any person to request a seven-day delay to allow additional written testimony to be submitted. Ms. Czerniak noted that considerable written testimony was submitted during the seven-day period raising issues similar to those presented at the public hearing. As a result of both the oral and written testimony and after considerable discussion, the Planning Commission decided to recommend rezoning a 100-foot strip along Labona to R-1, Low-Density Residential. Responding to Mr. Hinz' concern regarding the safety hazards posed by the Southern Pacific tank farms, Ms. Czerniak said that because the tank farms were constructed after some residential development in the area was in place, special features such as diking around the tanks were added to ensure the safety of neighborhood residents. Both the City and County emergency plans provide for evacuation in case of emergency. Responding to Ms. Westra's question regarding the site review process, Ms. Czerniak said that site review is an administrative process for which no public hearing is held, but written testimony can be submitted. The decision can be appealed to the Hearings Official. Notification of site review is sent to affected neighborhood groups and is sent to other interested parties upon request. Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Czerniak said the recommended R-1 zoning along labona was to ensure that the low-density character in the neighborhood would be retained. The drainage area on the property provided a natural buffer between low- and medium- density development and would facilitate the preservation of the wetland area. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 12, 1990 Page 3