03/26/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e has experienced a great deal of economic activity which may give . it an advantage over other areas in the City for industrial develop- ment. Third, it would be difficult for residential development to be provided with the necessary services, particularly north of West 11th Avenue (i.e., schools and parks). Regarding coordination with the Metro Plan Update, she noted the staff had been working very closely on the drafts and plans regarding accommodating residential development within this area. Mr. Obie noted, because of land ownership in the area, he would not discuss or vote on this issue. Mr. Delay requested an explanation regarding a recommendation on page 5 of the draft that firms engaged in similar or related activi- ties tend to locate near one another or agglomerate. He wondered if this was saying the City is to encourage similar kinds of firms locating in that area, and whether the assumption is that this would be good for the city. Ed Whitelaw, Economic Consultants Oregon, replied yes. He said this would attempt to concentrate the same firms in the area, and would be specific to the West Eugene area. He said especially in the area north of West 11th and east of Bertelsen, it would be prohibi- tively costly to try to get a concentration of very diverse firms. It would make more sense to try to encourage like firms, those with similar characteristics. e Mr. Delay then questioned the reference regarding Bertelsen/Seneca industrial area and the storm drainage. He wondered if there were going to be a need for major construction, such as Coburg Road storm sewers. Ms. Decker replied there was no plan for major construction. The reference in the draft was an attempt to identify the various drainage channels that do serve the area now. The concern expressed is with the quality, rather than quantity. Public hearing was opened. George Arabian, 2405 West 14th, represented his family who owned 15 acres in the area. They were requesting the Council delay the decision to rezone this property and refer it back to staff for reconsideration of medium- to high-density residential re- zoning. He agreed with the concept that large parcels should be retained for industrial growth. However, he referred to the 1990 Plan, which suggests or recommends residential use of the subject property in the immediate area. He felt Eugene has an adequate and perhaps excess supply of vacant land zoned for industrial use. He felt the size and unimproved condition of the subject property did not make it suitable for industrial use. The subject property was the only piece of land within the WEIA that is sealed off from the neighbors. This would create a buffer from incompatible uses. He noted the subject property would be close to developing employment centers in the area. He recognized the need for e 3/26/79--3 Ibl