CC Minutes - 04/12/00 Work Session

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County Planning Commission and once by the Eugene City Council. He said that Hyundai had known since the inception of their building that they could not build phase three on the property. He said the community expects and requires Hyundai to abide by the plans. He said he hopes the Lane County Commissioners will honor Eugene's decision and the Lane County Planning Commission's recommendations to protect the long-term public good over the short- term private gain. He stated if Lane County does not approve the amendments, the City has the opportunity and legal right under the Metropolitan Plan Amendment Process to generate additional plans for wetlands inside the city, to be adopted by the council as an independent entity. He said there needs to be a balance between jobs, wetlands, economic development and the environment. He said the balance in West Eugene has been in the wrong direction. Ruth Duemler, 1745 Fircrest, Eugene, noted that the League of Women Voters of Lane County supports the effort to protect and preserve wetlands and the League urges elected officials to approve all the suggested additions to the West Eugene Wetland Plan. She added that nationally the League has been involved in many wetland projects. She discussed a video that the League had produced on the Eugene Stream Team. She noted that Eugene's wetlands are recognized all over the country. She thanked the elected officials for their support of the video. She added the league recognizes the importance of the remaining wetlands for flood control, water purification and habitat for wildlife. She asked the elected officials to support the proposal for wetland preservation for the community. Edward Aster, 845 Willamette, Eugene, said if the wetland designation is changed, there will be a negative impact on other developments like his Westec Business Park. He said if Hyundai goes away, many other companies will leave the area or will be forced out of business. He said big business is not bad and Eugene is relying on the high tech industry now and in the future. He said that the business cycle will change again and companies need to be in Eugene. He added that up to 3,000 jobs could be affected and asked elected officials to look hard and seriously at the future of job opportunities and growth for families in the Eugene area. John Lively, 1830 Willowcreek Circle, Eugene, representing Hyundai, distributed a letter from Hyundai on the analysis since the new criteria was adopted in the West Eugene plan. He said they were supportive of the plan and with some minor recommendations they will be successful. He showed pictures of the site. He noted they had been working on the site since construction in 1995 and production in spring of 1998. He said they are discussing eight acres that are necessary and justified to build the three phases they wanted and needed in order to be competitive in the long term. He said that phase two contains 37 acres or 18% of the site that is available for building. He said they are suggesting adding eight acres south of the east-west ditch which would total 66 acres over the long term. He added of the 205 acres, they are suggesting that 103 be designated developed, and 102 be designated for protection or enhancement. Andy Peters, 4942 Hunters Glen Drive, Eugene, said he was speaking as a taxpayer and a businessperson. He said he is the General Manager of the Hilton and they employ 250 people. He said the issue is about the delicate balance between economic and environmental issues. He stated that Hyundai is an important and good community citizen that is a great part of the economy of the city and the county. He hoped there is a win-win solution for Hyundai and the citizens.