CC Minutes - 05/23/05 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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loitering, and alcohol use, and ignored the needs of neighbors. She lost count of the number of times she was awakened by the noise at night, adding that she had given up on making reports to the EPD. She averred that a liquor license was a privilege, not a right. She felt the owner demonstrated that she was irresponsible and asked that the current license for the establishment be cancelled. John Ward, 1134 Monroe Street, stated that he bought his house in 1979 and, at that time, the business across the street was a market, which he considered to be an asset. He thought he might now have to move due to the disruptive noise from the Monroe Street Caf& He did not think that under the current ownership the establishment would ever be compatible with the neighborhood. He complained of bongo drums and screeching. He said he called the EPD and was told to tolerate the noise. Management of the caf6 was rarely on the premises. He asked the council to oppose the renewal of its liquor license. Philip Farrington, 1160 Monroe Street, said he lived in the neighborhood for 11 years. He related he previously only experienced problems with parking in the area during the Lane County Fair or the Timber Convention. Now, he said, parking was a perpetual problem. He averred the caf6 introduced an element into the neighborhood that was not enjoyable. He asked the council to make the caf6 apply for a conditional use permit (CUP) in addition to taking a stand against renewal of its permit. He stated that people were allowed to drink in front of the establishment in a public right-of-way and asked the City to rescind that right. He noted that the caf6 skirted parking requirements by making an arrangement with the County fairgrounds for five parking spaces but, given that the parking facility was two blocks away, it did not seem to be used. He felt neighbors in the area deserved better treatment. Adam Petkun, 251 West Broadway Street, Apartment 165, noted that he was almost finished with his term as President of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon. He supported the resolution to protect the old growth forest and the McKenzie River watershed. He lauded the river's beauty and declared it to be one of the main attractions in this area, underscoring the fact that more than 25 percent of University of Oregon students come from out of state and abroad. He said he would graduate in a couple of weeks, but would likely return to this area to visit what he considered to be "one of the prettiest places on earth." Ellen Hyman, 3863 Dorchester, thanked the council for the recent vote against the Santa Clara land swap that included property for the purpose of developing a large community park. She quoted Margaret Mead, who said change most often comes from a small group committed citizens. She opined that the land swap was not a good deal for anyone except the developers. She reiterated neighborhood sentiments that the swap would have set a bad precedent. She encouraged Councilor Pap~ to attend one of the neighborhood meetings and participate in the process. In conclusion, she suggested that the idea the area needed more ball fields should be reevaluated. She believed something better for the community would come from this process. She thanked the council for "giving the community a second chance." Suzanne Hanlon, 1995 Friendly Street, assistant director of the University of Oregon Outdoor Program, explained that her program was for both students and citizens and served more than 200 people per term. She stated that the McKenzie River watershed was one of the most desirable areas to visit as it provided the opportunity for a multitude of recreational activities. She noted that people who did not have cars could take a Lane Transit District (LTD) bus to the area. She shared that she sometimes spoke with students who were considering attending school at the university. She believed places like those around the McKenzie River helped "sell" the university. She quipped that it helped people decide to be "Ducks and not Beavers." She pointed out that Bike Magazine had listed the McKenzie River as the second best place to ride bicycles in the United States. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 23, 2005 Page 5 Regular Session