11/26/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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, e Steve Janik, Portland attorney, representing the people converting the Willamette and Patterson Towers, said the conversion is complete on the Willamette Towers and nearing completion on the Patterson Towers. It will impose a considerable financial burden on the owners. He submitted that, under statewide land use goal number two, this process will lead to an ordinance that cannot sustain review. Under that goal a city is required to give affected persons understandable notice by mail sufficiently in advance of a hearing to allow a person time to review. The goal also provides that the plan is required to cover the issues. Nowhere are those things articulated in this ordinance. He also said that necessary inventories are contained. Also, necessary alternatives are not evaluated. He would submit that materials cannot be submitted that have not been brought before the public. He feels Council should be concerned because their authority is derived from the Charter, State statutes, and the general delegation of police powers. Nowhere does the ordinance have the authority to regulate the form by which properties may be owned. Nowhere in the state statutes or under police power delegation does council have that authority. He said that every court that has faced the issue on regulating the form of ownership has concluded that it is not possible to do so. While the use can be regulated, there is no authority to regulate forms of ownership. He said Council is requesting a freeze, not because there is a problem now, but because there might be one in the future. He does not fault anyone for concern for the seniors, saying that his clients have engaged in relocation assistance to deal with the matter. He noted there has been a nine-percent increase in e the housing stock in the Eugene-Springfield area in the last year. With this moratorium, not one single low-income unit will be built in the cityw Some people will perhaps be deprived of using their GI bill which will run out at the end of the year; plus home ownership will be prohibited to those wanting to live in a condominium. He also added that condominium conversion of the two buildings will mean an upgrading of the facilities. If conversion does not take place, they will have to be upgraded anyway and the rents may ultimately be increased. He pointed out that there are very few places where someone may own a home for as little as $30,000-plus. The average single-family dwelling is selling for between $70,000 and $75,000 on the open market. He said that, of 92 tenants at Willamette Towers, 43 have indicated an interest in buying, 33 others have relocated on their own, without requesting assistance, 3 have taken up the owner's offer for relocation assistance, and 13 have moved out for other reasons. In summary, therefore, there does not seem to be a need for a moratorium. He mentioned that serious lega' consequences could follow if the Council passes such a moratorium. He submitted for the record the basis for data on the housing market, the memo of law, and the price list for the Willamette Towers. e 11/26/79--7 b2.8