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lots and roof water into the vegetated swales, which then percolate the stormwater into the ground water and recharge the aquifer. She said the branches of the large canopy trees would eventually meet over the streets. In closing, Ms. McGee urged approval of the ordinance. Mayor Torrey called for neutral testimony. Charles Biggs, 540 Antelope Way, said that he had been surprised to hear that neighbors of the proposed development were getting along with the developer. He related that the only concern that had been voiced was in regard to the transportation impact. He praised Arlie and Company for working with the City and ODOT to cap the trips coming out of the development. Mr. Biggs, noting that design was not the topic at hand, expressed hope that the council would consider how the design would impact the entire node. He was concerned as to how the development addressed Crescent Avenue and also that the parking areas may be excessive. However, overall, he praised the development. Tom Boyatt, 644 GA' Street, Springfield, spoke on behalf of ODOT, Region 2, Area 5. He related that when he had spoken with the Planning Commission he had talked about the elusive nature of nodes. He reiterated the State's support for mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development. He said that whenever densities were increased in a certain area with the goal of reducing automobile dependency system-wide, there was an inherent risk that it could intensify trip-making. He referred to this as balancing geographi- cally specific congestion against the larger approach of reducing auto dependency across the region. He noted that the TransPlan was taking that approach and it was being incorporated into the Metro Plan. He commented that the reason these policy choices needed to be thought about and weighed was because the transportation planning rule required that when considering changes to existing comprehensive plans that were essentially linked to an idea for a transportation improvement in order to meet the needs of that land use plan, analysis was required to see if the proposed changes could be balanced with the transportation system. He stated that the plan for transportation improvements does not relieve the area of congestion system-wide. He commented that it had been a good experience to work with the staffs of both the City and Arlie and Company to limit the impacts to the already degraded interchange at Beltline Road and Coburg Road. Mr. Boyatt stated that he had signed up as a neutral party because it was his personal policy, as a State employee, not to take a stand on an item. Matt Stopher, 2866 Grand Cayman Drive, spoke as a representative for the Homeowners' Association of the neighborhood to the east of the development. He related that the neighborhood favored the develop- ment, noting that he had incorrectly been listed as a neutral party. He explained that the neighborhood had been involved since the outset of the development at the behest of Arlie and Company and that Arlie and Company had repeatedly incorporated ideas that had come from the homeowners' association. He said the association was aware of the push-through for Chad Drive to Game Farm Road and that, currently, it could potentially be delayed. He urged the City not to delay the project. He reiterated the emphatic support of the neighborhood for the proposed Crescent Village. MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 13, 2003 Page 9 Regular Meeting