05/08/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Otto Poticha, 1820 Kona Street, was in favor of the Planning Commission's recommendation to City Council, in particular to ~ the East Skinner's Butte area regarding Alternative 2. He said ,.., the issue that had been presented was that it was an historical area, and he agreed. However, he said 20 units per acre would be no mor.e protection than 30 units per acre and noted there were mechanisms that exist to adopt an historic district for the area. The historic issue has nothing to do with 20 or 30 units per acre. Mr. Poticha said high density is not 30 units per acre; the R-4 zoning for high density is (108.9 units per acre). He noted the present RG zoning for the area allowed 31 units per acre, with the purpose to allow open spaces and protect private outdoor spaces. He said that is not high density. He said, again, historical value was not the issue but whether or not 30 units or 20 units per acre would be better. Neither would be protec- tion for historical preservation of the neighborhood. Dan Goldrich, 2262 Birch Lane, conducts research on urban government and politics at the University of Oregon. He noted the people in this community had planned for housing density that seems to be needed; they are not refusing to accept their share of high density as a city-wide goal. However, he noted there were other values of conGern in the neighborhood. ~He raised the question if planning were simply to increase density in every possible place, then what was planning for? The Whiteaker Refinement Plan had made allowances for high density in other areas, but the neighborhood wants to preserve the historical value of the East Skinner's Butte area as something that can be viewed with pride. He noted this area meant a lot to the people in the neighborhood. Eugene stands for something different ~ in its concern for the environment and quality of life. The East Skinner's Butte area requires some protection. . Neil Murray, 653 West Broadway, represented the Westside Neighborhood Quality Group, which supported the Whiteaker Refinement Plan with Alternative 1. The East Skinner's Butte area is unique, special, and very limited. This may be the only chance to preserve its historical quality. He noted his group was not taking a position in opposition to increased density or development in some neighborhoods. It was felt to be important, as the city strives for compact urban growth, that the policy be applied with sensitivity. In making exceptions to the policy, Mr. Murray felt it important that exceptions be limited in degree and size, that they be justified, and that they be well documented. He felt the exception requested for the East Skinner's Butte area by the Whiteaker Refinement Plan satisfied those criteria. Martha Filer, 235 East 3rd, said the Histpric Review Board is making an effort to present this neighborhood for an historic designation (the area as well as individual structures). The ordinance which would allow such designation was recently adopted by Council. How- ever, the Historic Review Board has been working on past priorities. Subsequently, members of the Board will research the separate structures . 5/8/78--6 ~5