CC Minutes - 05/11/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Nathanson reported that she had asked staff to investigate relevant enforcement practices in other municipalities that could provide assistance with concerns about the ordinance. Mr. Weinman reported that in Eugene and Portland, one side of a street between two intersections was considered a "block" for enforcement of parking regulations, but that Salem considered both sides of a street between two intersections a block. In Salem, cars must move to the next block each day. Ms. Nathanson observed that public streets were primarily intended to be thoroughfares for the movement of traffic and that parking was a secondary activity. She said that property owners or residents did not have legal authority to give or deny permission for parking on public streets. President Farr explained guidelines for testifying before the City Council. He opened the public hearing. John O'Dohoghue, 455, West 15th Avenue, stated that he believed issues related to the ordinance were matters of compassion. He said he was pleased with the work of the council which had led to its adoption and urged extension of its sunset date. Val Major, 2100 West Broadway, had requested to testify, but was not present when invited to speak. Harry Ashburn, 26044 England Loop, Veneta, stated that he was an owner of property in an industrially zoned area of Eugene frequently used by persons sleeping overnight in cars. He said there were between 30 and 70 vehicles parked in the area of his property. He said that businesses leasing his property had reported the parked vehicles affected their ability to receive and dispatch deliveries, that employees were concerned about safety, and that it had been necessary to occasionally request police assistance to move vehicles staying beyond the time limits of the ordinance. He said he appreciated having sanitation facilities provided by the City, but that their presence seemed to attract users. He said he believed current provisions of the ordinance permitting sleeping in industrially zoned areas was not satisfactory and should not be extended. Dick Schuh, 2103 West 10th Avenue, stated that he was the owner of a business near McDonald's Wholesale which had been negatively affected by persons sleeping overnight in cars. He described difficulties trucks had to access the property and said that vehicles had been abandoned on the streets. He commended the council for its attempts to deal with concerns of homeless persons, but suggested that the effects of the ordinance on business property owners should be considered. He recommended that City-owned property located at Prairie Road and Maxwell Road be considered as a location for overnight camping. He said the property contained the "old S.P. station" which could be used for services to homeless persons. He said he supported such assistance programs, but was considering participating in class action litigation to remove the provisions for overnight camping in industrial areas. Gary Hansen, 520 Commercial Street, stated that he was a business owner and frequently supported programs assisting homeless and disadvantaged persons. He reported that his business was negatively affected by persons sleeping overnight in cars near his property-- employees badgered for hand outs, trash dumpsters foraged, external water spigots used without permission, mail boxes opened and used, and trucks prevented from making deliveries. He said MINUTES--City Council May 11, 1998 Page 5