CC Minutes - 05/29/02 JEO - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dylan Gnojek, 2325 Blackburn Street, Eugene, opposed the parkway because he did not think the highway should go through the wetlands, which were visited by school children and served as habitat for wildlife and provided a function for pollution. Jim Hanks, 3672 Riverpoint Drive, Eugene, supported the parkway as necessary because people continue to move to Eugene. The parkway was planned 25 years ago to accommodate that growth, build the economy, and improve lifestyles. Development in the metropolitan area was predicated on the parkway. Potential for growth was limited elsewhere, so it was directed to west Eugene, which was not constrained by such limitations. Mr. Hanks noted the public's votes in support of the parkway. He urged the adopting officials to support the parkway. Ellen Kantor, 1290 West Broadway, Eugene, said the parkway would funnel traffic away from the city's "heart of downtown" and would foster sprawl. She asked how the investment in West Eugene Parkway fit into the City's investments for downtown. She asked how her neighborhood th th would be affected when 6 and 7 avenues became the terminus of the parkway. She envisioned gridlock and suggested the ultimate solution would be a highway along those routes, dividing the neighborhood. Beth Middler, 8794 Shoreline Route, Florence, opposed the parkway and asked the adopting officials to listen to those who would speak later in opposition to the amendments. She believed there were higher priorities for improvements to Highway 126. Mike Foote, 1846 Heitzman Way, Avalon Village Homeowners Association President, supported the parkway because it was essential to traffic in west Eugene. He said residents of Avalon Village would benefit. He said that West 11th Avenue was already highly congested, and the parkway was needed. Mike Myer, 4408 West Amazon Drive, opposed the parkway because it would facilitate the community's "addiction to driving." As a bicyclist, he considered the fumes from cars an unacceptable health risk. He did not believe the vote was fair, and it would have been different if the spending had been equal. He believed that Mr. Pap8 should recuse himself because of what he asserted was his economic interest in the situation as the owner of an equipment company. Steve Moe, 3698 Franklin Boulevard, Springfield, supported the parkway because it was essential to the metropolitan area. He said the parkway was long-envisioned and supported by two votes of the people. He believed the cost of the project had been increased by the delay. He respected those who opposed the parkway but said they should respect the democratic process. He asked that the project be built. Lora Bixbee, 677 West 23rd Avenue, Eugene, opposed the parkway because higher priority projects would be postponed. She believed the parkway violated existing laws and lawsuits would ensue. Those costs should be added to the cost of the parkway. She quoted from an article in the latest publication from 1,000 Friends of Oregon in opposition to the parkway. Azra Kahlidi, 4023 Donald Street, Eugene, supported the parkway because of traffic congestion on West 11th Avenue. She questioned the reason for the public hearing when the ballot measure was approved. She asked that the voters' decision be respected, and the parkway constructed without further delay. MINUTES--Joint Adopting Officials May 29, 2002 Page 5