Item 2A: Approval of Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

In regard to Ms. Solomon's suggestion that the City give up properties, Mr. Poling agreed that the north and west were under-parked and the City had acquired properties in those areas with promises to develop them as parks. He cited the former Willakenzie School site as an example. He could not see the City giving up those properties for development. He recommended staff proceed and attempt to work out an agreement with the property owner and encourage a public-private partnership. Ms. Ortiz said she was learning from the process that the council needed to let the community define what it needed, rather than telling residents what they were gong to get. She said the residents were telling the City what they wanted in regard to the parks. Mayor Piercy said parks and open spaces served different functions. Some open space was for walking and exercising, and other open spaces were more necessary for the health of the community because of their other functions, such as stormwater retention. Mayor Piercy was unsure how to separate those functions, saying that when placed in the "same pile" they competed against each other. Mr. Medlin believed that parks and open spaces had different functions but were also very similar. He pointed out that their relationships to recreation, quality of life, and the experience of living in Eugene. Those who used the City's active parks for programmed activities also enjoyed the experience of using an open space not impacted by development. Open spaces were managed for their ecological functions, such as habitat and stormwater, as well as their recreation functions. Mayor Piercy agreed with Mr. Medlin's remarks, saying she was concerned that a discussion focused on the allocation of parks acreage alone missed the other values that came from having open spaces in the community. City Manager Taylor observed that in the case of the property in question, the issues of the ridgeline trail and stream corridor access came together. He believed that with the neighbors' interest in the property and the willingness of the property owner to continue discussions, it was possible the City could acquire the property successfully and within its means. He assured the council and neighborhood that City staff was committed to continuing the discussion with the property owner. Mayor Piercy called for a second round of questions and comments. Ms. Taylor agreed with Mayor Piercy that both open spaces and park lands were needed. She commended the foresight shown by previous Eugene leaders in purchasing park land for the future of the community. Ms. Taylor noted the presence of Pileated woodpeckers on the Dillard property. Ms. Taylor spoke of the potential of the pollution that could be created by development in this area of the community. She said that evidence had been provided to the council that the sewer system was in danger of failure. The development of the land would put more strain on that system and on the Amazon Creek. Ms. Taylor did not think the property should be developed at all. Ms. Bettman suggested the council consider the issue as an opportunity to target high-density residential development throughout the community and "preserve livability," rather than attempt to spread high- density development across all neighborhoods in a "cookie-cutter form." She said the Parks and Open Space Division and the Planning Division could work with the property owner and developer to site a high-density housing development on the property while preserving the site's natural amenities and enhancing access to the ridgeline trail. She suggested that people would wish to purchase condominiums with access to hiking trails. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 2005 Page 4 Work Session