08/10/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Mr. Obie said he had been told two things by John Porter of the Planning Department: 1) There would be a report for him today at Council meeting; and 2) Subdivisions in the process of approval would be held pending a solution. He noted the first statement had been incorrect and questioned whether the second one was. Mr. Saul replied there were four or five subdivisions in the South Hills area in one stage of approval or another. In discussions with John Porter, he said staff would have to proceed with the normal processing of those subdivision applications because of current ordinance requirements setting deadlines in processing time. Mr. Obie noted that was an opposite statement of what he had been told, and felt this was a very critical problem. He questioned whether the City could rely on this particular developer's integrity to do what he proposed to do. He spoke as a very concerned individual and on behalf of the concerned citizenry in the South Hills Area. He noted the loss of a good portion of the ridge line, an irreplace- able resource which makes Eugene more livable. He urged Council to consider a moratorium on subdivisions in the South Hills, pending revised regulations for tree cutting, saying this was too high a price to pay for expediency. Mayor Keller questioned Mr. Saul as to the time frame schedule. Mr. Saul responded an initial draft for review by City Council and Planning Commission might be ready in two weeks. He said this e draft would outline the options and costs, and would address the types of considerations the staff looked at in making its decisions in this particular subdivision. He noted other subdivisions in stages of approval in that area were located on land which was uniformly covered by trees. He cautioned Council faced an option of either the City buying the property or seeing the trees removed. Ms. Smith asked for a point of clarification regarding whether final approval of these subdivisions could be held until the draft of an ordinance. Mr. Saul said that would involve a legal problem. Preliminary approval had been given to one developer prior to this question coming up. Under provisions of the law, once a subdivider has been given preliminary approval, City does not have legal authority to withhold final approval. Mr. Saul said Council would have to hold a public hearing and adopt a specific ordinance to change that law. Mr. Haws questioned whether the moratorium would be on subdivisions in this particular area or would apply to the entire city. Mr. Saul replied legal counsel would have to give an opinion. He said one concern of staff regarding moratorium on subdivisions, was that once a subdivision had been submitted for approval, staff had a limited amount of time to act. Joyce Benjamin, City Attorney.s Office, said legal counsel would prepare a report for August 17 meeting, noting the possible impli- e cations of a moratorium on subdivisions. bOZ 8/10/77--2