06/08/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e - where the parking lot now exists. This concept would add four stories in front of the current Ya-Po-Ah Terrace. Another concept is to have parking partially underneath or to move the parking lot to the west. They would have access from Pearl Street between the existing structures and out onto 4th Street. There is good access and good safety control. This facility would comply with the zone restrictions. They have no problem accepting the site review criteria. He feels the proposed zoning would be justifiable to assist senior citizens in their search for housing. John Humbert, 350 Pearl, stated that he is the administrator of Ya-Po-Ah Terrace. He distributed a handout and noted that he is the appointed repre- sentative for the Evergreen Union Retirement Association. He feels that need is the primary concern. The waiting period for additional development may be as long as ten years, and prospective tenants are in need of additional housing as the senior citizen population grows. As Eugene expands, the need for senior housing will increase. HUD 202(8) funding is difficult to acquire now, but since they have an existing application, changes are very good. They received a letter recently from the Eugene Commission on the Rights of Aging which was in unanimous support of this proposal. The Board of Directors realizes the current economic situation and they are looking at this as a construction project which would create additional senior housing and put some people back to work. Sid Thoresen, 350 Pearl, Apt. 1202, stated that he has lived at Ya-Po-Ah Terrace for five years and lS in favor of the zone change request. On March 3, 1981, a meeting was held and the residents were told of this proposal. They feel this project entails "people helping people" and unanimously voted in favor of the proposal. Housing needs are not currently being met. There is a need for more long-term housing for the elderly and disabled. He quoted Senator Mark Hatfield regarding elderly housing needs. Mr. Thoresen also feels this expansion will add to the City's cash flow. Robert C. Thompson, stated that he is a member of the Advisory Board of the Lane County Commissioners for Housing and Social Services. He feels there is no better location for an addition to the housing stock for the elderly than Ya-Po-Ah Terrace. It is close in and has access to transportation modes. Ya-Po-Ah Terrace has a good social program as well as food service for shut-ins. It is also near good restaurants. He feels this is the best location in the city to have 75 more housing units for senior citizens. At the Mayor's request, support for this proposal was shown by raised hands. Over 30 people indicated support for this zone change proposal. Speaking in opposition: Olivia Clark, 65 Monroe, stated that she works as a low-income housing advo- cate. The City has made a commitment to affordable housing as well as citizen invo lvement in the pl anni ng process. The Whiteaker Neighborhood has affordab le housing and they have also developed a housing cooperative. While they are housing advocates, they are also interested in neighborhood planning. They are working with mixed-use zoning for the city and have worked for two-and-one-half MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 1981 Page 10 .--.