CC Minutes - 11/26/01 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. PUBLIC HEAR1NG AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Alley Vacation for PeaceHealth (AV 01-1) City Manager Johnson said staff was present to answer questions about the application. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Gretchen Pierce, 31434 Fox Hollow Street, a member of the PeaceHealth, Oregon, Board of Directors, spoke in favor of the alley vacation application, describing the scope of the proposed construction, and noting that outpatient services would be centralized on the Hilyard campus. The hospital was seeking certainty about the footprint it would have to work with. She said the design of the Hilyard campus was directly tied to the development of the new hospital. Planning for one contiguous parcel was easier than it was for two parcels divided by a right-of-way. Ms. Pierce said that PeaceHealth had met the requirements for the vacation set out in State law and Eugene Code, and it was consistent with the City's land use goals. She said that both the City and hospital's interests were served if all the issues were resolved, and urged the council to ask questions of those offering testimony in support of the application. Brian Terrett, 770 East 11th Avenue, representing PeaceHealth, urged approval of the alley vacation. He assured the council the hospital was aware of the concerns that had been expressed about the timing of the process and said that those concerns would be addressed. Mr. Terrett said the neighbors were aware of the support the hospital offered. He noted the letters of support that had been provided by neighbors of the hospital. He said the hospital's expansion and remodeling plans would address the issues of security, traffic safety, and practicality, as well as the public interest Vincent Martorello, 132 East Broadway, Suite 536, planning consultant for the applicant, spoke in favor of the application. He described the area in question and noted the majority of property, including all that was adjacent to the alley, was owned by the hospital. He said the alley vacation would give the hospital greater flexibility in its master planning efforts. He challenged the staff contention that the application did not meet the requirements of Oregon Revised Statute 271 because the applicant had not submitted a site plan to show how the area would be used. A site plan was not required by the statute. The only legal requirement that existed was for the applicant to explain the purpose for which the area would be used. Mr. Martorello also disagreed with the staff contention that the public interest would be prejudiced by the application. The pedestrians and bicyclists using the alley now could use the facilities that were specifically designed to accommodate them. Other routes were shorter and more direct than routes that include the alley. He maintained that the public interest was also served by the hospital's continued service to the community. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 26, 2001 Page 5 Regular Meeting