04/14/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilman Keller felt the economic situation was something that developers and occ~pants of land holdings more than any other sector were aware of, and theirs would be the criteria that would decide whether there would be a third regional center. He fel t picking "the spot" for a third center would be a grave error, but he agreed with the idea of isolating several as possible sites in order to be prepared if a third center did materialize. He was not opposed to the recommendsation if it had its proper place in terms of other recommenations relating to downtown and Goodpasture Island area. Councilwoman Shirey said she was not convinced there was going to be a need for a third regional shopping center. She recognized that Springfield needed consideration and that there was a need to talk with other jurisdictions, but she felt Eugene should define its own position about sites before talking to other agencies. She thought there should be discussion between the Council and the Planning Commission first. Gary Chenkin, assistant planning director, said the Planning Commission in making its recommendation did not mean to imply that a site would be identi- fied, rather the co-ordinating committee representing all three planning com- missions would discuss the recommendation and suggest appropriate action to the respective agencies. Although identification of a third site might be the outcome, he said, it should not be implied as an accepted fact that there would be a third center at any particular time. The recommendation merely indicated that in the event a third center was proposed by the private sector, there should be some type of metropolitan policy ready to enable a response. In response to questions from the Council, he noted that the co-ordinating committee was already in existence, that it was made up of two representatives from each of the Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County planning commissions. Councilman Murray thought members of that committee would like their charge more clearly defined. He reiterated his opinion that further discussion should occur "among ourselves," saying the Council had never discussed the commercial study itself other than with the consultants when they presented it. Mr. Bradley moved seconded by Mrs. Shirey to refer the recommenda- tion back to the Planning Commission for discussion between the Commission and Council in joint session to be scheduled within a week or two. . . In making the motion Mr. Bradley said he thought there was not enough informa- tion available to make a well studied, reasoned decision on either Recommenda- tions 1 or 2, and he would like to have an opportunity for input from the Com- mission and staff. Councilman Haws agreed, saying that members new to the Council had not had enough time and information on the commercial study. He thought there was further information covering Commission meetings with the consultants which had not been distributed. Mr. Haws wondered if the Council could be studying the' commercial study to determine Eugene's posi- tion and at the same time start co-ordinating committee meetings to determine other agencies' positions. Councilman Murray thought that would put Eugene representatives in an untenable position - representing Eugene ,in discussions with other jurisdictions without a consensus as to what Eugene's position was. Councilman Hamel suggested waiting unti 1 a firm posi tion was taken on all three recommendations so discussions in the co-ordinating committee would revolve around the same answer. Mrs. Beal preferred making a decision on Recommenation 1 only since the motion applied only to that recommendation. Discussion turned to material which Council members might not have. Assistant Manager noted distribution of Commission minutes and said it appeared Council was lacking only the benefit of the consultants presentation when the study was completed last summer. He suggested that if that was the type of his- ~~ ,/ 4/14/75 - 12 1~.4