05/26/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. to accommodate a larger percentage of compact cars. He explained that the system must be self-policing. There is no mechanism for enforcing the ordi- nance, so if the percentage was too high and standard cars were forced to use the smaller spaces, there would be no way to deal with the situation. Mr. Obie asked if there is any provision for automatic review of the change after a specified period of time. Mr. Farah responded that the Planning Commis- sion had discussed this and had recommended that review take place within two years. Ms. Wooten asked Mr. Farah whether staff had done a survey of the percentage of compact cars in use in the area. Mr. Farah responded that a survey was done on January 4, 1981, in downtown parking lots administered by the City, and that the survey found that 53 percent of the occupied spaces were occupied by compact cars. Ms. Wooten noted that the Chamber of Commerce had requested that the percentage for compact cars be set at 50 percent and that the Planning Commis- sion had had a lengthy discussion of this issue. Mr. Farah said that the Planning Commission had voted 3:3 on a motion to adopt a percentage of 40 percent, and that the final motion to adopt the 3D-percent figure had been opposed by one commissioner. e Ms. Wooten said she was pleased with this proposal, both because of the oppor- tunity to encourage people to use smaller cars, thereby conserving gas and resources, and the opportunity to fit more cars into a lot. She asked Mr. Farah how many more cars could be accommodated in a given lot under the 40-percent ratio than under the 30-percent ratio. Mr. Farah responded that this really has to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, because the configuration makes a great difference. He could only say that the ordinance would have the end result of saving land. Mr. Lindberg asked why the business people who had participated in the Chamber of Commerce discussion on this issue had wanted 50 rather than 30 percent. Mr. Farah responded that he did not know, but that he personally felt that the policy just makes good development sense. Mr. Lindberg suggested that the code could be flexible and give opportunities for 30- or 40- or 50-percent ratios, with decision being made on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Farah responded that staff and the City Attorney's Office had felt that it would be best to set a maximum figure and leave decisions on implemen- tation up to the individual developer rather than setting up confusing or varying regulations. Mr. Lindberg felt that the number of compact cars will increase and that the proposed figure of 30 percent thus seemed very conserva- tive. Mr. Farah said that it is easier to increase the percentage of compact spaces in the future than to decrease the percentage if the projections did not occur. One would need more land in that case. The public hearing was opened. There being no testimony presented, the public hearing was closed. CB 2287--An ordinance concerning off-street parking requirements; amending Sections 9.254, 9.584, and 9.594 of the Eugene Code, 1971. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 26, 1981 Page 4