01/24/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ruth Sturdevant, 4450 Royal; Mrs. Ralph Cross, 783 North Bertelsen; 4It and Ms. Paulette Jagger, 780 Bertelsen; all spoke in favor of prohibiting truck traffic through the area, indicating noise factors, traffic jams, dust pollution problems, hazards to children either walking or on bicy- cles, difficulties in getting in and out of driveways, and concern with the speed that the trucks seem to be attaining through the area. George Altmeiter, speaking for 1-5 Freight Line Company, said they held the same position on the prohibition as Georgia Pacific spokesmen. He indicated they had spent a year to find a location out of the downtown core area, and west Eugene seemed the only area available for develop- ment. He reiterated that if the trucks were rerouted down to 11th and back into the industrial area, it would add considerable cost and traffic exposure. Harry Wilson, 4241 Royal, indicated he had been living in the area five years and that traffic had increased, he felt, 500 per cent, but the traffic increase was not due to small vehicles, but the truck traffic. He indicated concerns over hazards to children, the difficulty of getting in and out of driveways and reiterated that this is a residential district, that the trucks should be put back out onto 11th and routed back in through Bertelsen. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Councilman Lieuallen questioned whether the conflicting interests could ~ be worked out or not. Mr. Williams indicated that he was not sure of ,., option No.3 and asked staff to explain again to him what the implica- tions of that option would be. After some discussion by staff, Mr. Williams indicated he felt this was a very complex and difficult issue, and was very concerned that the background information had not been distributed to Council prior to the meeting with no time for preparation. Ms. Smith indicated she also felt a state of confusion and asked whether there were any predictions on any alternate route in the future to resolve both the residential and industrial concerns. Mr. Wilburn indi- cated that Highway 126 route had been looked at but was not a viable solution; there had been some discussion about a route in the vicinity of 1st Avenue; but there were no immediate solutions. Mr. Delay indicated a concern regarding the access to the area and asked if staff could answer questions of access that had been raised tonight. Manager suggested that perhaps the matter be held over until the next meeting and Council take a tour of the area. Mr. Haws moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel that the issue of no through trucks on Royal-Elmira be held to February 14 Council meeting, with Council to take a tour of the area. Mr. Obie said he felt it was time the Council stopped ignoring the traffic problem of moving vehicles and the conflict of interest between residential and industrial uses and perhaps bring the expressway plan back to the people. He indicated he agreed to some extent with the option No.3 and the widening of 11th Avenue was wise, but that looking e three or four months past that time, West 11th may become a bottleneck and that accurate information was needed as to how the widening of West 1/24/77 - 8 ~~