Ord. 20617 - Laserfiche WebLink

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This determination is based on the conclusion that the vacation of this alley will provide efficient use of land and will not negatively impact the transportation system, surrounding neighborhoods, or emergency access. The purpose of the applicant's vacation request is to: • Improve pedestrian safety by eliminating a blind corner at the intersection of East 8th Alley and High Street and creating a circulation pattern that enables patrons to park and walk to and from the building in safety. • Comply with ADA standards by raising the sidewalk grade gently over the central half of the block length to eliminate a non -ADA compliant step into the building. • Reconfigure the existing surface parking lot north of the Shedd including to reorient parking to north -south and shift access to East 8th Avenue; and • Consolidate property to enable the construction of a future building (John G. Shedd Institute Annex) within the vacated alley and the existing surface parking lot. The improved alley currently provides direct access to the surrounding streets. Traffic using this portion of the alley to travel east must pass between the applicant's surface parking lot and building to exit onto a minor arterial, High Street. This creates a conflict between pedestrians and bicyclists who must cross the path of the automobiles who exit to High Street off this alley. Also, due to the size of the building and the configuration of the intersection at East 8th Alley and High Street, a vehicle using this path cannot see the north bound traffic on High Street without crossing into the pedestrian right-of-way. Analysis from Public Works staff confirms the surrounding street network is a traditional blocked street grid, which provides ample street connectivity as required by the Eugene Code. The streets encompassing the alley block are classified as a major collector (East 8th Avenue), minor arterials (High Street and Pearl Street) and a local street (East Broadway). Because of the existing local street grid, the alley does not provide significant public transportation benefit and public vehicular and pedestrian circulation on adjoining streets will not be compromised as a result of the vacation. The City of Eugene has no public infrastructure or publicly owned sanitary or storm drain piping within this portion of East 8th Alley. Conclusion: The applicant's requested right-of-way vacation is in the public interest, based on the above facts and the terms of the ordinance. Exhibit C: Findings Page 2 of 2