Agenda Packet 10-14-19 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES – Eugene City Council September 11, 2019 Page 2 Work Session expressed appreciation for aspects of the project; discussed history of MUPTE applications within his experience on council and opinions about projects that received and didn’t receive a MUPTE in similar locations; asked questions related to necessity of MUPTE program; raised the concept of “but for” test. •Councilor Taylor – asked whether there was a provision about using gas or electric energy;asked about eligibility for vacation rental use; inquired about 18-month validation relatedto green building requirements and the potential for extensions; inquired about moderateincome rental rates for affordable rents; discussed concerns about affordability of moderateincome rental units and to which units these belong; discussed concern regarding timing ofapproval and belief that the community and council need more time to learn about theproject; discussed desire to postpone action until further consideration. •Councilor Syrett – spoke to points by Councilor Zelenka regarding student housing andgeneral program skepticism; noted the council has the option to review the MUPTEprogram and revisit the program criteria; shared reasons for preferring projects thatinclude a financial contribution rather than providing subsidized units as part of MUPTEapplication. •Councilor Yeh – expressed support for the project given developer’s meeting or exceedingexceeding program requirements; expressed concern about issues that are raised after-the-fact if developers are meeting the requirements set by councilors. •Councilor Zelenka – reiterated comments about student housing and the “but for” test;discussed rent considerations and disapproval of the provision; reiterated concerns aboutparking downtown; expressed opposition to application. •Councilor Clark – discussed report created regarding student MUPTE applications andcurrent property tax revenue and impact on the City; cited reasons for rebutting CouncilorZelenka’s “but for” test concern; expressed agreement with Councilor Yeh’s commentsregarding council-imposed requirements for MUPTE applications. •Councilor Pryor – discussed Councilor Zelenka’s concerns regarding student housingprovision and appreciation for provision; discussed appreciation about concerns about “butfor” test discussed by Councilor Zelenka, and support for the conclusion determined by theproject’s financial analysis; discussed historical approval of MUPTE applications consideredby council and support for approval of applications being considered by council only aftermeeting MUPTE requirements. •Councilor Zelenka – discussed “but for” test further and difficulty in using that test todetermine if there is true financial need for MUPTE in developing a property; expressed lackof faith in the test for determining the need for tax break. •Councilor Taylor – discussed contracted financial advisor’s potential lack of familiarity withEugene; expressed agreement with parking concerns in downtown and need for councilconsideration; commented on Councilor Pryor’s comments related to approval of MUPTEapplication by council after requirements met; expressed belief that not all properties of taxbreaks will represent a return on investment. •Councilor Syrett – commented on concerns about parking downtown; discussed reality ofrental rates of downtown market rate units; discussed Councilor Zelenka’s comments onproperties which did not receive a MUPTE versus those that did in similar areas and furtherresearch on outcomes of these properties and the MUPTE program’s viability. •Councilor Clark – inquired about requirement regarding parking provision by developer inthe downtown area they are located; discussed parking related to developer ownership ofnearby properties. •Councilor Pryor – asked what would happen if council took no action at all and council’srole in approval or denial of application; reiterated support for MUPTE application based onprogram requirements and timelines. September 14, 2019, Meeting - Item 2A