09/09/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- ~ . pedestrians. He added that due to the narrow size of the alley and the presence . of two-way traffic on it, there were frequent encroachments on private property. Mr. Croteau said that the Eugene Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval of the vacation. Councilor Miller explained that she had previously had extensive ex parte contacts on this matter, since she had lived on Tax Lot 100 and had been aware of the long history of concern over use of the alley. She said, however, that she had had no substantive contacts on this particular application. She did not feel that she had any conflict of interest, nor was she predisposed toward any particular solution to the problem. She said she therefore felt comfortable participating in discussion and voting on the item. Ms. Miller said that it would be helpful to have additional ;~formation on the degree to which the alley is currently used by persons wishing to drive south through the valley to Interstate 5 and of any possible alternative routes. Public hearing was opened. Judith Lindsay, 1985 Riverview, spoke for.herself as applicant and for her nelghbors Tom and Gloria Thetford and Betty Jones. She explained that this issue had been discussed for ten years. She gave some background of the history of deeds and easements in the area and of the City's acquisition of Tax Lot 1299 and of the dedicated portion of the alley. She explained that, contrary to Mr. Croteau's statement, only half of Lot 1299 is a dedicated roadway. Ms. Lindsay said that the alley is narrow and steep, with a ten percent grade. She said that the alley cannot be widened without moving houses. She was concerned about the large amount of dust raised by traffic on the alley and by daily encroachment . of alley users onto adjoining private property. She stated that in 1979, the Laurel Hill Neighborhood Association had voted to relinquish its interest in the City-owned lot. Allen Gray, 2035 Riverview, referred to the alley in question as "20th Avenuell and said that it was the only east-west connection from Riverview to Augusta, between 16th and 26th avenues. He noted that despite the fact that the Transpor- tation Improvement Plan called for preserving east-west connections in the valley, two such connecting streets had recently been closed. Mr. Gray opposed this vacation unless some other east-west street were opened in its place. Don McCloud, 2151 Riverview, clarified the stand taken by the Laurel Hill Neighborhood Association on this issue in 1979. He said the neighborhood's stand had been that if the City vacated the alley, the neighborhood association asked that an easement for pedestrians and bicycles be given. Mr. McCloud said that he is a member of the Laurel Hill Refinement Plan Update Team and that 12 of the 13 members of that team contacted had agreed to urge the council to table consideration of this item until the update is completed. He said that transpor- tation considerations playa major role in the update and that the planning team might well have recommend at ions on the future of "20th Avenue. II William Schwall, 2260 Riverview, said he felt it was a good idea to return the land 1n quest10n to the tax rolls, but he urged the council to postpone making a decision until the transportation needs of the valley are examined by the Refinement Plan Update Team. . ( MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 9, 1981 Page 7