CC Minutes - 02/18/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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collaboration between Eugene and Lane County, as opposed to last minute attempt to place development above other values. Teryl Saxon-Hill, 29188 Willow Creek Road, said that Mr. Cornacchia's proposals were contrary to the intent of the WEWP, particularly those policies calling for minimization of impact, expansion of habitat for plants, and connectivity. She referred to a recent article in The Oregonian, which indicated that Hyundai's construction delays were costly, and that Hyundai Semiconductor of America lacked the viable tools to select an appropriate site. She said that the elected officials would continue to violate the public trust if they tried to change the plan to benefit Hyundai. Ms. Saxon-Hill asked the elected officials to honor the planning process, and remember the importance of environmental protection and controlled growth to Eugene citizens. She indicated she would submit an article published in the January 12, 1998, edition of USA Today entitled "Dirty secrets exposing the dark side of the clean computer industry." John Saemann, 1775 Adkins Street, said that wetlands perform vital environmental functions. People need wetlands for flood control. Wetlands filter contaminants from runoff and hold water, mitigating the effect of pesticides and herbicides. Mr. Saemann asked the elected officials to take a long perspective on the plan amendments, and understand that what they do today will affect everyone in the long-term. He said that land owners have been operating under the plan for six years, and the rules have been applied to all. He said that the Growth Management Study process had indicated what the public wanted. Mr. Saemann asked the elected officials to accept the recommendations of their planning commissions. Shawn Boles, 105 North Adams Street, said that he opposed allowing Hyundai to opt out of the plan because the company came to the plan. He said that Hyundai either failed to practice due diligence or was misinformed by the business community about the nature of the wetlands on the site. Mr. Boles said that Eugene citizens expected Hyundai to abide by community plans. He opposed the criteria suggested by Mr. Cornacchia. Mr. Boles said that economics depend on the environment, not the converse. He said that it was the council's responsibility to make a decision regarding Hyundai's proposed Phase III, and the proposed plan amendment indicated the Phase III area should be restored. Mr. Boles said that decision was not reached lightly. He noted that Hyundai failed to participate in the process through which the recommendation was reached. Mr. Boles believed that the City had the legal authority to divide the amendments package to separate those amendments within the urban growth boundary. He asked the council to seek advice from a land use attorney. He asked the elected officials to honor the community process, product, and the recommendations of the planning commissions. Mr. Boles said that it was the elected officials' charge to protect the public good as opposed to shod-term private gain. Mary Bentsen, 950 West 16th Avenue, said she was disturbed by Mr. Cornacchia's proposals, which appeared to be an attempt to shape the plan to meet the needs of one large company. She asked that the elected officials consider the history of the plan and respect that history as well as the time, attention, and expertise that has gone into the planning process. She asked the elected officials to reject Mr. Cornacchia's proposals. Misha Seymour, 1313 Lincoln Street, #306, asked the elected officials to adopt the planning commissions' recommendation. He said that environmental protection was needed. He suggested that other uses, such as organic farms, could be located in the plan area. Mr. Seymour supported a MINUTES--Joint Elected Officials-- February 18, 1998 Page 12 Eugene City Council/Lane County Board of Commissioners