09/10/1990 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Ms. Bascom asked about the alternate alleyway located south of 12th Avenue. Mr. Reinhard described it as a standard two-way parking lot aisle that will be more visible from the streets than the existing alley but is not intended to be a dedicated public right-of-way. Mr. Holmer had a question about the number of vehicles presently using the alley and the impact of the resolution before the council. He asked whether the 800 vehicles counted as using the alley daily were on the half-block at the east end of the alley or included all vehicles that entered the parking lot. Mr. Reinhard said he understood the vehicle count to include all vehicles using the alley between Willamette and Olive streets, so would include both through traffic and vehicles using only the parking lot. Ms. Bascom expressed disappointment that such a small portion of the paved area is to be landscaped. Regarding the bicycle component, she said that the closure would not address the conflict between bicycles and pedestrians and she considered it important to require that conflict to be minimized. She could foresee the council being asked to close the corridor to bicycles and said that should be avoided. While he appreciated the staff work involved in the proposal, Mr. Bennett was not persuaded that the closure was appropriate. He considered downtown circulation critical to the success of the area and stressed balance among various modes of transportation. e Mr. Boles supported Ms. Bascom's statement on the need for minimizing conflict between pedestrians and bicycles and said he would support closing the street to any vehicle that pollutes. Mr. Green observed that bicyclists should obey traffic rules. Expressing understanding of the position taken by business owners, he suggested considering closing the alley to all vehicles, including bicycles. Ms. Ehrman said it was important to consider both safety issues and concerns of business owners. Hoping to avoid the animosity between area businesses and an expanding medical facility that has occurred in another neighborhood, Ms. Ehrman proposed seeking alternatives in this situation. Mayor Miller suggested that staff study a one-way alley. Res. No. 4200--A resolution closing the eastern half-block section of 12th Avenue between Willamette Street and Olive Street to motor vehicle traffic. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to adopt the resolution. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 10, 1990 Page 4 --- -