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

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Mr. Taylor agreed that revitalizing downtown was a strategic issue and that all City departments had a contribution to make to implementation strategies. He said that staff would development responses before the public hearing to issues not resolved during the discussion. Mr. Pap~ asked why the Lane County Historical Museum was being encouraged to relocate downtown as one of the implementation strategies. Ms. Laurence replied that the museum intended to move and staff felt a downtown location was desirable. Mr. Kelly added that the museum's current facility did not have adequate storage or climate control. Mr. Kelly gave as an example of the need for prioritization and historic preservation the fact that the house that Mary Skinner lived in following Eugene Skinner's death was still standing, but had no historic protection. C. WORK SESSION: Central Area Transportation Study (CATS) Transportation Planning Engineer Chris Henry stated that the first CATS was adopted in 1987 and helped provide the transportation and parking element for downtown. He said it was updated in 1993 to improve access and circulation for alternative modes and since that time many of the strategies have been imple- mented. He described the coordination of the CATS update with that of the Downtown Plan and thanked those involved, including councilors, planning commissioners, City staff, and other agencies, for their participation. Continuing, Mr. Henry said the significance of the update was the addition to CATS of policies related to the Downtown Plan and the Great Streets concept. He said CATS contained a more robust look at conversion of street operations from one-way to two-way and the visioning process had confirmed a desire to make it easier for people to get to and through the downtown area. He said the disconnected arrangement of one-way and two-way streets made circulation through town confusing and a consulting firm was hired to assist staff in analyzing the downtown traffic system and produce the recommendations for conversion of Willamette Street, 8th Avenue, 10th Avenue, Lawrence Street, Lincoln Street, and Charnelton Street. Mr. Henry said the agenda item summary included recommendations from the Planning Commission, with which the staff agreed. He noted that Mr. Kelly had pointed out a discrepancy regarding Policy #3 relating to system development charges (SDC) and a geographical component that was no longer relevant. He said staff concurred and that section would be stricken from the final document. He announced there would be a public hearing on January 26, 2004, in conjunction with a similar public hearing for the Downtown Plan. Ms. Taylor asked why all streets were not being proposed for conversion to two-way operation, instead of sections of some streets, leaving gaps in two-way operations. She suggested that the Farmers Market be consulted about concerns regarding the impact of converting 8th Avenue to two-way operation. She asked why there was no stop sign for vehicles at the intersection of Willamette Street and 12th Avenue. She commented that 6th and 7th avenues were State highways, presented major barriers to pedestrians and suggested that the City could negotiate with the State for better regulation of traffic speed. She also suggested that staff consult pedestrians, those in wheelchairs, and bicycle riders to identify problem areas. MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 1, 2003 Page 6 Work Session