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VII. ACTION: ACQUISITION OF SITE FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING <br /> DEVELOPMENT <br /> <br /> Mr. Meisner moved, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, to approve the use of <br /> $450,000 plus closing costs in federal <br /> Community Development Block <br /> Grant funds for acquisition of a <br /> three-acre site at 2440 Santa Clara <br /> Avenue for placement in the Low- <br /> Income Housing Landbank Program <br /> <br />Addressing a question from Mr. Rayor, Housing Policy Board member John Van Landingham <br />indicated that the nearest park to the proposed site was .5 miles away at the River Road Park <br />District. He added that most of the land in the area is County property but the City annexed 40 <br />acres near Howard Elementary School and 14 of those will be preserved for a park. <br /> <br />Mr. Farr emphasized the importance of landbanking sites for affordable housing since the number <br />of appropriate lots is rapidly decreasing. He thanked the Housing Policy Board and those who <br />have worked on procuring such sites. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly spoke in support of the acquisition and shared his concern with the lack of parks in the <br />community, adding that "we are moving in the right direction with the parks and open space <br />measure." <br /> <br />Mr. Pap6 said he hoped that as the parks measure is implemented, staff and elected officials will <br />address the problem of parkland within the urban growth boundary, specifically the River Road/ <br />Santa Clara area. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson said parks in that area have been a problem because there already exists a River <br />Road Parks District supported by residents of that area. Nonetheless, there is a serious equity <br />issue. Parks are supported by taxes so the issue is: Should Eugene City taxpayers fund services <br />for people who benefit but do not contribute their taxes? <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner agreed that landbanking is crucial and shared Ms. Nathanson's concern about the <br />issue of equity. He added that City residents could not afford to subsidize those who chose not to <br />annex and benefit from City services. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly expressed appreciation for the council's support of affordable housing. <br /> <br /> The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. <br /> <br />Minutes--Eugene City Council May 10, 1999 Page 6 <br /> 7:30 p.m. <br /> <br /> <br />