05/05/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Gleaves that a decision on this ordinance should be postponed 4It until the Robins vs. Pruneyard case has been decided because the Council may be spinning its wheels. He also feels the ordinance is vague since it says there is no amplified sound allowed but nothing is stipulated about shouting, chanting, or yelling. There is also nothing stipulated in the ordinance about who decides what is commercial or non-commercial. He thinks the ordinance would hurt those who have businesses at Valley River Center. Doug McKay, 450 Stonegate Street, representing Oakway Mall, stated all the concerns expressed so far seem to be regarding a regional center (Valley River), not oriented to a neighborhood center like the Oakway Mall, which is a convenience center. He does not feel the free speech area is needed, but if it is needed, it would be more needed in a regional center than in a convenience center, and it is not needed at Oakway Mall. He feels the size definitions were arbitrary. Oakway Mall has neighborhood competition in other stores which offer the same services but because Oakway Mall IS shops are in an enclosed mall they are subject to this proposed ordinance. He noted that Edgewood Center, the Atrium, Centre Court, and 5th Street Market should also fall under this ordinance if passed. All of the merchants in the Oakway Mall and over 400 of their customers are opposed to the idea of having a free speech area at Oakway Mall. He also noted concern with the emergency clause and felt that if they would be expected to create a free speech area they should be given reasonable ~ time in which to implement it. _ Mary Merrill, 850 East 20th, is a merchant at Oakway Mall who uses space in front of her store for display. The mall area at Oakway Mall is very small. If they were to designate a free speech area, it would have to be in front of several stores. She stated that areas in parking lots could be designated as free speech areas. Richard Hansen, 2744 Tomahawk Lane, Manager of Valley River Center, stated he agrees with Ms. Kokis that it is extremely difficult to restrict people to a certain area with their activities. Cus- tomers and tourists are thankful that Valley River Center exists. He stated it was unfortunate that the proposed amendment had been changed from 50,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet and now encompasses centers like the Oakway Mall, the Atrium, and the Citizens Bank Building. Valley River Center is a privately owned property. They paid for the property although part of the streets and sewers were provided. They built one road which they gave to Lane County and paid for widening of another street. He stated he does not try to have difficult rules for people to . 5/5/80--10