CC Minutes - 11/20/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Continuing, Ms. Thomas said that City Manager Taylor recommended the claim be approved and a waiver granted. Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. Jozef Siekiel-Zdzienicki , 1025 Taylor Street, supported the proposed claim. He then went on to address claims that the Churchill Area Neighbors for a Healthy Neighborhood was elitist and against infill, pointing out the neighbors worked with the property owner on the plans for the dwelling, which would be an infill dwelling. He said that just because the neighborhood had special standards did not mean the neighbors were bad people. th Marie Nemir , 1353 West 10 Avenue, an immediate neighbor of the subject property, supported the staff recommendation for a house to be built in accordance with the recently adopted infill standards. She said that throughout the process the owner’s son Ron and wife Bess had worked with the neighbors to develop a solution that was compatible with the neighborhood and would improve the block’s appearance, safety, and stability. While she did not generally support Ballot Measure 37, she supported the example of responsible property ownership and restraint demonstrated by the Bush family. She thanked Paul Conte and Rene Kane, co-chairs of the Jefferson/Westside Neighbors and the owner’s family for reaching a good outcome. th Rene Kane , 254 West 14 Avenue, co-chair of the Jefferson/Westside Neighbors, thanked all those who cooperated to reach the Ballot Measure 37 agreement, saying they showed what remarkable things could be accomplished when people worked together toward a common purpose, in this case, that of maintaining the character of the neighborhood. Ms. Kane thought it appropriate that those with a stake in the neighborhood and knowledge of it worked to make it a better place. Ms. Bush had welcomed what her neighbors had to say, and common ground was found. The agreement maintained and enhanced the character and stability of the neighborhood. She congratulated all those involved for providing an example of real community. th Paul Conte , 1461 West 10 Avenue, co-chair of Jefferson/Westside Neighbors, thanked Ms. Bush and her family for working with the neighborhood toward a positive outcome. He suggested that their actions were a benchmark against which others could be measured. They were true to their word and worked toward a solution that made a positive contribution to the neighborhood. Mr. Conte also thanked neighbors such as Ms. Nemir and her husband for initiating a process that had as a goal the common good. He said the Jefferson/Westside Neighbors executive board unanimously endorsed the recommendation before the council. Mr. Conte thought there were several lessons to be drawn from Eugene’s first residential Ballot Measure 37 claim. First, residents and councilors could take heart that sensible infill compatibility standards need not be put aside due to Ballot Measure 37. The house Ms. Bush would construct would demonstrate that property owners can build new, modest houses that meet sensible infill design standards. The solution presented to the council was further evidence that resident-driven processes could produce sound solutions to residential land uses issues given residents’ familiarity with their neighborhood and stake in its future. Mr. Conte hoped the Planning and Development Department and council took notice of what had been accomplished through a constructive approach to challenging issues. He quoted from Wendell Berry: “A viable neighborhood is a community, and a viable community is made up of neighbors who cherish and protect what they have in common.” He said that Jefferson/Westside neighbors cherish their homes and neighbors. He thanked the council for its leadership in supporting neighborhood communities. MINUTES—Eugene City Council November 20, 2006 Page 2 Public Hearing