CC Minutes - 02/25/02 Work Session

Home Browse Search

Ms. Hocken noted the route studies that would follow and emphasized the extensive public participation envisioned by LTD. She said that LTD would also have to comply with all federal environmental regulations. Following that process, the council would decide whether to proceed with the route. She clarified that at this time, LTD did not have money to build the route, and hoped to secure earmarked funds through the next reauthorization of federal transportation legislation. Mayor Torrey called for a first round of comments/questions. Mr. Kelly indicated appreciation for the Planning Commission's recommendation but disagreement with its analysis. He preferred the Highway 99 route because of high growth in the Bethel-Danebo area, because it was currently underserved by transit as compared to the Coburg corridor, and because there was more potential to reduce vehicle miles traveled because of the area's distance from the core. Regarding the Planning Commission's recommendation that the City Council encourage LTD to improve frequency and service options to northwest Eugene, he said it struck him as "almost insulting," given LTD's budget problems and dependence on the payroll tax. He acknowledged that the Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) jurisdiction over Highway 99 complicated the construction of the route, but suggested that a conversation with ODOT must occur sooner or later, and he preferred to have it now with the existing traffic volumes on 6th and 7th avenues. Mr. Kelly said that the Highway 99 route brought people into the center of town, and the Coburg route, particularly with the loop to Springfield, seemed designed to encourage people to go to Gateway and out to the edge of town. Ms. Bettman agreed with Mr. Kelly's remarks. She thought the route should be placed where it would have the most positive impact, and pointed out that the Chad area off Coburg Road was already being redeveloped privately, and that was not true of the areas along and around the Highway 99 route. The route would stimulate private investment in those areas. Ms. Bettman said that the two areas were not comparable in terms of the income of residents in the neighborhoods to be served, and BRT could serve working families in the Bethel area to commute to work and allow them to own only one car, a cost savings annually of between $6,000 and $8,000. She termed that a boon to those families and the economy. Mr. Meisner, a member of the BRT Steering Committee, said there was value to both routes. However, he agreed with the points cited by Ms. Hocken in support of the Coburg route and agreed that the City's jurisdiction over the road was critical. He said neither route was easy, but in the case of the Coburg route, the City was the decision maker. Referring to the suggested motion included in the agenda item summary, which referred to a "possible" link, Mr. Meisner said that the word should be struck; he termed the link crucial. He noted the considerable amount of multiple- family housing in the Coburg Road as contrasted to the Bethel area, and the heavy use Coburg buses now receive. Mr. Meisner asked Ms. Hocken to respond to the question of "how and why BRT when LTD is cutting other services because of revenue loss." Mr. Rayor said that both options had strengths and weaknesses. He thought the focus of the discussion should be on which route better supports the concept of the BRT system. He questioned whether the linkage of the Eugene and Springfield routes was as significant as it seemed given that it was not much farther for people to travel to Eugene using the Springfield MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 25, 2002 Page 9 Work Session