01/26/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e They have had litter and other problems already. They have suggested other stops to LTD and he distributed pictures of those proposals to the council. The alternatives include the southeast corner of 20th and Willamette in front of Steichen Realty which is within one-half block of the existing bus stop. This would still allow parking and be in a commercial tax lot and might also help their business. The second alternative would be the parking lot of the 4-J bus barn which he feels would be good because there is no through traffic permitted. The existing bus stop at 18th and Oak is another alternative, and the fourth alternative would be in front of Lowrey Realty which is also in a commercially zoned area. He was told that LTD buses need more room, but 10,000 cars a day go down Oak Street in front of his house, and this would only cause more congestion. He feels they are being discriminated against. They asked if their neighbors were informed and they were told that they had not been. The owner of the property at 1977 Oak, Bud Walker, who lives in Myrtle Creek, stated that he was not informed. On October 27, a letter from Dave Whitlow rejected the alternatives on the opinions of the Traffic stpff, property owners, and LTD. He would like to know who will pay for the loss of property value if a bus stop is placed in front of their house. The parking strip is five feet wide. If a bus stop goes in and he would ever decide to sell his house, who would want to buy it with a bus stop in front of it? Will it be LTD and the City who will make up the difference in the decreased value? He would hope so but the court would have to decide. That is an option that they would pursue. There being no further testimony, public hearing was closed. Mr. Hanks stated that in regard to payment of lawsuits, the streets belong to the public. One of the council's priorities is to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation. The owner of the property next to the Skillern home was sent a letter but it was returned since he is apparently an absentee owner. However, the resident in that house was opposed. There are several alternatives: the existing bus stop on 18th between Oak and Willamette, which requires South Eugene High School students to walk several more blocks; the 4-J bus parking lot which is not within the public right-of-way for a bus stop, and LTD would have to use it at all hours; and the 20th and Willamette stop although there already is a stop south of 20th. There is a problem with running-off-the-road accidents which is why several sites were not chosen. This location is mid-block. Now that 19th and Oak are signalized, buses must get back into an entire stream of cars after loading their passengers. Mr. Hamel asked if buses are going from 19th to 18th and turning left and why considera- tion was not given for a stop across 19th on the right side. Mr. Hanks respond. ed that that is the route buses will take and the same problem would exist but to a higher degree. Mr. Lindberg noted that of the three options presented by the resident, two were eliminated. They were eliminated for being too far away or for being outside City jurisdiction, but 20th and Willamette is an option, although ther~ is a stop nearby. He asked if that could be adjusted to serve both areas. Mr. Hanks responded that there is a stop on Willamette south of MlNUTES--Eugene City Council January 26, 1981 Page 15