Ordinance No. 20292 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit A crossing the Will~ette in Springfield; there are three roadway bridges crossing the Willamette in Eugene; and there are many other roadway bridges crossing the Willamette throughout the Willamette Valley and Portland. It is illogical to thir~k that the state's policy regarding the Greenway was intended to allow the deterioration and ultimate closure o£the state's bridges. There certainly is reason to draw a distinction regarding ~ew bridges over the Willamette, but existing bridges, including necessary maintenance and repair solutions, should be considered in light of the consequence that would occur if they were required to be abandoned. We agree with the Applicant's proposition that repMr and maimenance is not an intensification of use; however the exception standard applies to non-water-dependent, non-water-related use occurring in the Setback, not what is or is not intensification. 2. The amount of land proposed for this use is largely within existing ODOT fight-of- way. Where that is not the case, an easement approximately 100 feet wide for a distance of approximately 800 feet is needed for a sloped fill of support structures. The site of this easement is based solely on the need to place these support structures in a manner that provides necess~y ~ade for the bridge. The easement property is owned by Witlamalane Park and Recreation District and is part of the East Gate Woodlands of East Alton Baker Park. This park land is considered to have the highest rated wildlife habitat in the metropolitan area. There is no doubt that this proposal will intrude on this habitat and will require the removal of several acres of woodlands in and adjacent to the right-of- way. The Springfield Planning Commission considered these impacts during its Discretionary Use hearing and Greenway Setback Line hearing prior to action on the proposed "reasons" exception. Conditions of approval were applied by the Planning Commission regarding minimizing construction impacts on habitat and restoration of this site to a condition equal to or better than the current condition when the detour bridge is removed. 3. The Willamette Greenway is not considered by OAR's to be" resource land," (nor are Goal 5 skes), but it is subject to a reasons exception justif~Sng why the state policy embodied in the applicable goal should not apply. There are no other sites in either city that could accommodate a detour bridge over the Willamette that would cause less impact than the proposed location. The geometry of I-5, the spacing between existing interchanges, posted speed limit and the t~e of traffic make it impossible to place this bridge anywhere else in the Metro area. Additionally, wider departure from the existing tight,of-way would go through a variety of different existing development, including homes, businesses and other park lands. This factor is met by this proposal (b) "Areas which do not require a new exception cannot reasonab(v accommodate the use~· (A) The exception shall indicate on a map or otherwise describe the location of possibIe alternati~,e areas considered for the use, which do not require a new exception. The area for which the exception is taken shall be identified; 12