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Christine Thompson, 1276 University of Oregon, representing the University of Oregon Planning <br />Office, said the strategy proposed to create a graceful edge was the result of collaboration and creativity. <br />She explained that the planning office had begun by looking at other university edges were treated. She <br />observed that most of the campus perimeters examined had featured a buffer zone of high density <br />residential land. In this way, she said the East Campus area was unlike most such areas. She stressed <br />that the first approach taken by University Planning was to explore the possibility of having such a <br />buffer, but it would not have preserved the character of Villard Street. She indicated on a map the <br />transition areas and discussed the proposal. <br /> <br />Mike Weishar, 1410 Oak Street, commented that one of the key tenets of the East Campus Development <br />Policy was the minimization of traffic impacts in and around the Fairmount Neighborhood. He said his <br />job as a transportation consultant was to establish a baseline study. He explained that his data indicated <br />that traffic volumes on Villard and Agate streets had slightly increased since 1988, while traffic volumes <br />on Orchard and Walnut Streets had decreased. He evaluated three 20-year development scenarios for the <br />East Campus Area and the 2002 East Campus Lands Trip Generation Study and found that, in a worst- <br />case development scenario, overall traffic levels in the area would increase by 11 percent, compared to <br />uses generated by the current plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Weishar averred that area streets had the capacity to absorb this increase, spread out over the 20-year <br />development period. He related that, in response to a request from the City, he had completed the East <br />Campus Lands Traffic Impact Study to address the requirements of the transportation planning rule. He <br />said the study found that impacts could likely be mitigated. He stated that the City had concurred with <br />the findings and that the University's land use applications meet the Transportation Planning Rule <br />requirements. He noted he also evaluated the effectiveness of the residential parking zone program, <br />instituted in accordance with the SAS, and had determined that it was effective for the streets in the <br />program. <br /> <br />Mr. Weishar expressed the University's agreement that the traffic studies should be funded. <br /> <br />Terri Harding, 132 East Broadway, #536, land use consultant for the University, reiterated that the <br />Fairmount Neighbors and the University had reached agreement on the application. She said it would be <br />beneficial to fund the traffic studies in the Fairmount Neighborhood. She conveyed the University's <br />position on conditional uses in the R-1 buffer area. She explained the buffer area had been established as <br />a compromise in response to the neighborhood's early concerns over intensification of the University <br />land. She stated it had been decided that the low-density buffer could be accommodated on University <br />land, but that the University must be able to retain the ability to apply for a restricted number and limited <br />type of CUPs. She appreciated that the neighborhood association had accepted the language. <br /> <br />Ms. Harding listed the contingencies placed upon a CUP as outlined in the proposal and asked the <br />council to approve the policy, noting it had received a unanimous vote by the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Jan Oliver, 1283 University of Oregon, Associate Vice President for Institutional Affairs, conveyed the <br />University's commitment to being a "primary asset" to the community. She noted the University had <br />been a part of the community for 125 years and intended to continue being so for at least another 125 <br />years. She cited efforts the University had undertaken in the past to mitigate traffic and parking, adding <br />that the University was nationally recognized for its transportation innovation. She stated that the <br />University was in compliance with all City parking requirements. She averred the University needed to <br />prepare for the future and that the proposed amendments were the first step. <br /> <br />Lorraine Davis, University of Oregon, Vice President for Academic Affairs, stated that it had been <br /> <br />MINUTES February 23, 2004 Page 7 <br /> <br /> <br />