02/25/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Keller indicated that a motion was on the floor and this motion would be to call for another public hearing at a future date. Roll call vote; motion failed, 4:2, with Councilors Lieuallen, Hamel, Miller, and Schue voting nay; Councilors Obie and Smith voting aye. e Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, to allow the people present at the meeting to speak for two minutes each regarding this matter. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. Tom Slocum, a partner in Park Willamette Associates, with offices at 215 Oak, stated that his firm had proposed to put housing downtown to benefit Eugene and needed to have a variance granted in order to be able to do this. The Zoning Board of Appeals granted this variance, but this variance was appealed by several parties. He further stated that because of comments made by the Hearings Panel, he felt any future efforts for appeal would be futile. Mr. Slocum felt it was unfortunate that this appeal for a variance was not upheld and what would have been housing in the downtown area now will be offices. LaVerne Edwards, 1260 President, stated that in the first hearing it was apparent to her that Jim Hanks, Traffic Engineer, was opposed to this plan. In the goals formulated last September, it was stated that downtown housing would be ideal for the handicapped, but she noted that parking would be needed for these people. She further stated that the Urban Renewal Plan says that the proposed action would not result in a shortage of off-street parking. She further stated that ~ there are many reasons present on both sides for consideration on this ~ matter. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to approve the Hearings Panel minutes and adopt as the Council's own the Findings of Fact submitted by the Hearings Panel of February 4, 1980. Mr. Obie asked how many parking spaces they would need to provide if it would be six small businesses. The response was 25. Ms. Smith indicated she would be voting against the motion; however, she would like the Council to look at other options at a future date. Mr. Lieuallen stated that the proper forum for dealing with this reso- lution would be in a joint meeting with the Eugene Renewal Agency and that piecemealing this matter would not be a good idea. He further stated that everyone wanted to create housing in the downtown area, but people were opposed to the mechanism of policymaking in this instance, and he felt that they should try to formulate a policy on this matter in a comprehensive fashion. Ms. Schue expressed agreement with Mr. Lieuallen and felt it was unfortunate that this issue revolved around downtown housing. She further stated that this plan was not one that required adjustments for parking, but that the plan had made no provi- sions for parking at all. She also felt that this would be setting a precedent which have a long-term effect that would be inappropriate. e 2/25/80--10