CC Minutes - 12/01/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Laurence remarked that the plan's purpose was two-fold: 1) a visionary plan that built upon the downtown vision; and 2) a refinement plan. She said as a visionary plan it characterized downtown as a strong, active urban center and committed the City to a strategic approach in using economic tools to promote desired development. She related that the visionary aspects of the plan encouraged public art, promoted nearby nature areas, and addressed the downtown riverfront. She said the refinement plan aspects embedded policies and implementation strategies that were more pragmatic and would be used to guide land use decisions and investments downtown, such as redesignation and rezoning of the train depot area from industrial use to commercial. She noted that combining visionary and pragmatic elements in the plan illustrated the strong collaboration between the Planning Division and the Development Division. Ms. Nathanson congratulated staff on completing the plan and noted that its tone was positive and identified strengths that could be built upon, rather than simply identifying problems. She said she appreciated the inclusion of a section on safety. She expressed concern over the availability of conference space and encouraged collaboration with the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County, the Lane County Fair Board, and other entities in planning improvements. She commented that her other special interests were entrances and landmarks to signify arrival in downtown and river connections. She observed that water and light were both important to attracting people to downtown and maintaining interest. Ms. Meisner commented on the lengthy process to develop the plan update and expressed satisfaction with the result, which combined vision with practicality. He said he hoped the plan would not be adopted and then ~put on a shelf," and asked that the subject of downtown development appear before the council on a regular basis and continuing basis. He noted the many examples of possible projects and anticipated that staff would bring plans back to the council. Referring to problems encountered with the demolition of the Agripac facility, Mr. Meisner asked if language in the plan relating to historic issues or the map identifying potential historic properties would cause delays or interfere in any way with redevelopment or the City's decisions about buildings such as City Hall. Ms. Laurence said language in the plan had been softened because of those types of concerns and staff was working with legal counsel to assure that language was appropriate. She added that nothing in the plan designated properties such as City Hall as historic sites, only as properties of potential historic interest. Mr. Yeiter elaborated that the plan and map recognized the importance of certain historic structures contributing the character of downtown and making special places in civic architecture. He said the intent of the map was to identify those properties in anticipation of development, but if the council felt the tool was too restrictive for future development, direction could be given to staff to pare down or eliminate some elements. Mr. Kelly thanked everyone involved in developing the plan, which he agreed combined both visionary and practical aspects and identified strengths and assets in the downtown area. Referring to Mr. Meisner's comments, he noted that adoption of the plan would only adopt the policies, not the implementation strategies, and urged that more of the strategies were included in the policies. He related a conversation with a downtown property owner in which the question was asked: What would someone walking through downtown see that was different as a result of the policies? He said the vision to which the plan aspired was commendable and asked staff to consider what implementation strategies could be included as policies or whether a downtown work plan that would be formally adopted could be developed in order to make a commitment to change. Mr. Taylor said a high priority on implementing the vision and revitalizing MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 1, 2003 Page 3 Work Session