03/02/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Mayor Miller asked councilors to bring up items for clarification or ask for additional materials prior to the public hearing. Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, Ms. Bishow said that the Commercial Lands Study task force was not asked to look at the design of the study; that element was referred to the Planning Commission. She noted, however, that a group of local architects has provided comments on the design. Ms. Bishow said the question was to what degree the City should be involved in commer- cial design and suggests some approaches. Mr. Boles took exception to lan- guage in the study that "encourages" things, rather than ensures things will happen. Mr. Nicholson expressed disappointment that the study does not reflect public testimony asking for more stringent commercial design standards. Ms. Bishow said that those concerns are addressed in the study such as on Page 111-31, Policy 23, and the related strategies on the next page. Saying that implementing design standards would increase costs for commercial development, Mayor Miller asked if anyone had considered what the new costs will be. Ms. Bishow said staff will provide that information prior to the public hearing. Mr. Boles said that it is a matter of emphasizing quality or cost reduction. He suggested staff look at those communities that have instituted design standards to see what the consequences have been. III. WORK SESSION: WEST EUGENE WETLANDS Neil Bjorklund, Planning Division, introduced members of the staff group that worked on the plan. Mayor Miller said the staff involved in this project had received rave re- views from their counterparts in Washington DC. Mr. Bjorklund said there has been much community support for the project. Mr. Bjorklund said the draft plan was released along with a technical report in May 1991. A public hearing garnered much comment, mostly positive. He said the main substantive issue was buffer provisions, protecting an area outside the wetland boundary as a means of protecting water quality and wet- land values. Staff worked with the comments and negotiated a compromise that satisfied all parties. The Federal and State regulatory agencies gave their input as well. The staff team received much praise from councilors, saying the quality of work reflected by the report enhances the City's dealings with other govern- mental agencies. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 2, 1992 Page 6