05/10/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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nature of locations of employment are important to consider. It is anticipated the downtown to continue to be a stronger attractor of ~ employment trips. The model is responding to those things that have . been plugged in. The main reason people might ride the bus is it is more convenient, there would be no parking problem at the other end of the trip, and transportation has become more expensive than housing. Mr. Snowdon said the transit split was a given. The modeling done after that reflected where people desire to go using their autos. TPC tried to look at where the general ridership patterns are today, and proportionately increase those until they reached 14-15 percent modal split for Eugene. The downtown area is such a strong attraction in terms of jobs, and people from the South Hills area are oriented to the white collar businesses located in the downtown area. Mr. Farah said the plan anticipates a goal of five-percent bike rider- ship. Also, TPC is making a statement that bike ridership is very important, and should be encouraged through suggestions from the Eugene Bicycle Committee. It suggests that work be continued through the Bicycle Committee as part of Metro Bikeway Plan. Mr. Obie wondered how, in the procedure, Council would come to grips with the mass transit goal. Mr. Farah said the policy, as drafted, includes wording for Lane County, Springfield, and Eugene. As the City Council moves for action, it is acting only for the City of Eugene and suggested wording that would embody a metro-wide plan. James Bernhard, President, Planning Commission, reviewed for Council the various policies and changes made by the Planning Commission. He called to the Council's attention the importance of the land-use issues involved. He said some were existing and should be reinforced; others are amended and should be dealt with at the time of the update. However, it was felt there should be a strong official commitment to the update process. The Planning Commission recommended major review be done every five years, with continued update yearly. . Mr. Farah noted the policies are an important part of the plan as those policies would be used by Council in making decisions regarding transpor- tation in the coming years. Mr. Obie referred to the section on page 21, item I, A and B, regarding major new commercial development in the downtown area. He wondered if that policy might create more transportation problems than it solves. Mr. Snowdon said it was felt this policy inclusion would be one of the most effective ways of encouraging transit ridership. Potentially, if transit ridership is not achieved, wi:th concentration of much of the development in the downtown area, it is not effective to serve that type of concentrated development by the automobile. Mr. Porter said that particular item referred to by Mr. Obie should be read in context with the one on page 22, numbered 4. He said those combined are encouraging City goals directed toward the central area as it is felt to be the heart - 5/10/78--8 3&+1