11/26/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. condominium development to keep a balance. Ms. Shepherd related e statistics showing the number of condominiums planned in the area and in summary said that there is a possible 2,000+ units being contemplated. Wesley Nicholson, 1040 Ferry, resident of the Eugene Manor, said he came to Eugene in 1943 and valued the public attitude here as one which recognizes human values. He alluded what he considers to be a most important part of the ordinance which states that the negative effects of condominium conversions are serious and particularly acute in areas such as this with low rental vacancy rates. The negative 'effects include forced displacement of those renters unable or unwill- ling to purchase condominium units from the owner, a disporportionate burden on older, handicapped, or low-income renters, exacerbation of rental unit shortages, and a short-term and possible long-term increase in housing costs and rents. The scale on which the dis- placement occurs is more significant in large structures than in small ones. He would be greatly disappointed if the tradition of emphasis on human values was not carried forward at this time. Eve Horn, Patterson Towers, referred to the classified section of the Sunday Register-Guard which showed that most of the available rental units were located in neighboring towns. Whether those that are available in the city of Eugene would be suitable is another question. She therefore urges a moratorium for an intensive study toward protecting Eugene from the power of international investors. Carl Johnson, Patterson Towers resident, came to Eugene in 1935. e He is surprised that no one has mentioned the close relationship between the U of 0 and Patterson Towers. Presumably, the University provides one-seventh of the wealth and the University and Patterson Towers students and faculty are one-seventh of the population. He said that many retirees enjoy the activities of the University and would ask Council to consider the relationship to the University and to them all. Mr. John Simonet, 587 Blair, property owner on Shore Lane, favors assistance to seniors, but he said they have enjoyed freedoms in the past and now they want to restrict someone else's freedoms. He feels that, if the government wants to help, they should not make an individual land owner personally suffer a loss. If the moratorium should pass, rental management companies would be reluctant to rent to people over 62. A suggested solution to the moratorium problem is to let the government, through taxation, buy apartments and make them into low-cost housing, or have the City buy the condominiums and do the same thing, or relax the zoning laws and let free enterprise work it out. Wayne Johnson, 731 Foothill Drive, said he has built many apartment units in Eugene. He feels there have been 16 years of blunders in the housing market in Eugene. He also feels the moratorium will last more than six months. He definitely feels that it is the wrong direction to go. e 0D 11/26/79--6