02/09/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e- 29th and Mill, He said there were other properties in the South Eugene area properly zoned for the proposed ambulance services. Messrs, Cole and Gifford also were opposed to the 29th and Mill site and generally to location of such services in residential areas because of traffic hazards and general detraction from neighborhoods. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Councilman Williams asked if it was correct as stated that fire stations are permitted as an outright use in residential zones. Mr. Saul answered that it was. Councilman Murray asked if there were careful procedures for determining com- patibility in locating fire stations in residential areas. Mr. Saul said the primary criteria was the question of response time, determined by computer modeling systems. He added that compatibility is considered to a certain ex- tent as are standards for setbacks, etc. -- Councilwoman Beal wondered if staff had taken into consideration the importance of response time for ambulances. She felt that was a consideration and even though there would be a certain amount of disturbance at any time of day or night, it might inClude more people if the station was located farther from the desired locations. She asked about the response time for the South Eugene area from the present location on 11th Avenue. Mr. Saul said the response time in terms of chance of survival, etc., was considered critical, and that that consideration was included in the staff report to the Commission. Mr. Leonard said that resonse time from the present location now is running into a 10-minute period, whereas a 5-minute range is desirable. He added that because of the growth pattern, South Eugene was the most critical area in the city, the second most critical is the Coburg Road area. In response to Councilman Haws with regard to appropriate procedure, Mr. Saul said that if staff was so airected, it could prepare an ordinance for Council adoption without hving to go back to the Planning Commission. If the Council desired some other action, the issue probably should be referred back to the Commission. Wording of the amendment proposed would allow as a conditional use satellite ambulance services only in residential zones; it would not permit central dispatch functions. Mr. Haws asked what criteria would be used as the basis for determining whether a conditional use permit would be granted. Mr. Saul answered by reading from staff notes previously distributed to the Council the criteria for new condi- tional use permits - location, design, site development among other things, as well as being consistent with zoning ordinance, General Plan, etc. There would be no special criteria for this type of service, he said, noting again that only satellite functions for ambulances would be permitted. There would be no maintenance and repair functions nor central dispatch functions. He agreed with Mr. Haws that such a facility would be a "miniature fire station" from which ambulances would run on a 24-hour basis. e Councilman Murray expressed reservations about the code amendment. Although he supported the concept of satellite ambulance stations, he preferred their location in commercial zones where he thought there would be less problems in terms of compatibility with surrounding areas. Generally, he said, location of such facilities in commercial zones would have less impact so far as in- creased traffic and noise, and late evening disturbance would be negligible as opposed to residential areas. He thought the question of the kinds of neighbor- hoods which would be asked to "bear the burden" was pertinent. 7{ 2/9/76 - 9