CC Minutes - 07/22/02 Work Session

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priority nodal development areas, reviewed the Bus Rapid Transit build-out, finished minor code amendments related to the Land Use Code Update, completed work on the code amendments needed to facilitate the construction of the West Eugene Parkway, and wrapped up work on the remand of the Son Blaze development application from the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). She noted that the Historic Review Board, a subcommittee of the commission, held a series of strategic planning meetings, and looked forward to completing work on the Modern Context Statement in early fall 2002. Ms. McMillan highlighted items on the next year's work program, including work on the nodal development rezoning for the eight priority nodal areas, work on the Iow-density transition zone, design standards for the Broadway area, and completion of the Downtown Plan update. The HRB hoped to do more on educational outreach in the coming year, and would work on implementation measures for the Modern Context Statement. The work plan included the unfunded South Hills Study update, which the commission considered a high priority. Ms. McMillan said that the commission also included an examination of high-density development and the perception it would degrade neighborhoods as a special project to work on as time permits. Ms. McMillan concluded by saying that the commission was always frustrated by the lack of time to do long-range planning. She called on other commissioners for comments. Mr. Rusch said that his experience was mostly positive, although he experienced some frustrations. He agreed that the commission had accomplished a great deal in the last year. He agreed with Ms. McMillan that the commission had little time for long-range planning. He found discussions like the one the council would have about sustainability to be missing from the commission's work. He was very impressed by those in the room, and said the devotion of other commissioners was inspiring. Mr. Rusch praised Ms. Childs and the Planning Division staff. He asked that in its discussion of sustainability, the council start by rewriting the goal that guides its work, Sustainability Community Growth and Change. He said there was no such thing as "sustainable growth." No system could grow indefinitely. Mr. Rusch suggested that the council change the goal to read "Sustainable Development" as long as sustainable meant "renewal," not "growth." Mr. Lawless said that he suggested the examination of the impact and perception of high density because the discussion appeared not to have occurred. There was a negative perception of infill on the part of some, and he thought it could be overcome. Regarding the issue of sustainability, Mr. Lawless agreed that the topic was very important. He said that infill would help to fill the void in the lifestyle options that existed in the metropolitan area, and would help open up opportunities for development and economic growth, and begin to show ways that nodal development could be applied, and how it had already been applied. Mr. Lawless said he had offered to do a little work to guide some of the examination in recognition of staff resource limitations, and committed to bringing forward the relevant issues through that process. Mr. Lawless said that he was "awestruck" by his fellow commissioners and the commitment they had. He recalled that he asked the council during his interview what its definition of the roles and goals of the commission and council, and asked if the council found a way to sort those out. Ms. Colbath said she had also enjoyed her shod time on the commission and said the dialogue between commissioners led to a well-informed commission and well-informed outcomes. She had been asked during her interview how to get more people involved, and she said the MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 22, 2002 Page 3 Work Session