11/24/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. - dependence on cars, pedestrian and bike planning must be included in planning for the future. Tom Hubka, 1961 Agate, member of the Transportation Committee for the e Fairmount Neighborhood, spoke about the relationship between the goals of the 1990 Plan and transportation alternatives. The group feels it would be well to adopt a policy regarding transportation objectives as intending to refine the 1990 Plan. He referred to the plan and statements that goals include the need for balanced transportation, that public policies should be directed toward limiting passenger auto use while developing alternative modes, the need for mass transit and decreasing the adverse effects of the auto. He said the goals in the 1990 Plan are intended to be used to make policies. In looking at alternative 0, it is a statistical base and some sort of base is necessary; but whether it should be used seems highly suspect. L-COG came out against alternative 0, he said. He wondered if the Council and Planning Commission felt the goals of the 1990 Plan should be adhered to and if they find alternative 0 or 1 as abiding by those goals. Randy Cuddeback, 2205 Lorane Highway, noted the testimony he has heard so far has been concerned with decreasing auto transportation and creating a better environment; these points are addressed in the transportation alternatives document. Documentation shows there is little difference between alternatives as far as projected pollution in the year 2000. In terms of noise, there is little difference as well. In fact the transportation study states buses might cause more noise than the auto. e A problem as he sees it would be that, with a labor intensive system such as mass transit provides, what would happen in times of labor strikes. Also, "how do you force people to use mass transit", he concluded. Bill Seavey, 1742 Ferry, felt as many alternatives as possible should be considered. Once enacted, it is necessary to educate the public in terms of how they will have to adapt. Government should not only plan but inform. He noted he does not drive at all any more, biking and walking a lot; and to him it is quite an exciting experience. Stewart Barr, Crow, taxpayer in Eugene, pointed out the lack of encouragement for people going into business anymore. It does not seem to be worth the hassle to many people who cannot get a legitimate return on their dollar after taxes. He finds it tough to explain to his children that economics means "you should have the money before you go out and buy something". He noted he cannot pass on the increases to his customers, as his prices are fixed by price controls. When the whole society drops out because they cannot stand the increases, he concluded, "you will have no one to pay for anything". Larry Offan, 1070 Snell, Oregon League of Business and Property Owners, felt that, if there is too much dependence on bikes and walking, neighborhood stores would become monopolies and would not have to have reasonable prices. He added too that if businesses that serve a national market (such as lumber companies) are lost - due to taxes being too high - e the backbone of the community will be lost. Reduced mobility will drag the economy down, he feels. Clean air is a concern but continued ecological preservation is expensive. Citizens cannot accept any alternatives at the expense of the free enterprise economy. Great 101~ 11/24/75 - 8