Item B: Ordinance Concerning Goal 5 Natural Resources Study

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Re: Request for Exception to Goal 5 Water Resources Riparian Setbac 5035 St. Clair Lane - Lot #1200, Map 18-03-17-3 ~ $220,000 Real Value Loss W:C;EIVED _.'- SEP 2 1 2005 k for I CITY OF EUGENE PLANNING DEPARTMENT 21 September 2005 To the Eugene City Council: I am requesting an exception to the riparian setback proposed for the seasonal creek on my property at 5035 St. Clair Lane, for the following reasons: . It does not traverse an undisturbed terrain, as it does on neighboring properties. . The creek was channelized 55 years ago by my father. It has large culverts to accommodate two roadways, the bank has been shored up with large boulders and it has been dredged to a deeper level to eliminate any flood risk. The ditch has always been maintained to facilitate drainage. . The house sits to the west within 12 feet of the high bank, with the septic system to the east in a large meadow which my father originally developed for his model airplane flying field in 1950. . To the northwest, the creek borders a buildable lot, adjacent to the Mahalo Street right-of-way. . The meadow to the east has the potential for several buildable lots. The real estate value would be reduced significantly, as provided under Measure 37: . The ~ 4500 square foot buildable lot north ofthe house would be rendered unbuildable, for a loss of ~ $45,000. . The level, treeless ~ 25,000 square foot meadow would be reduced in area by 25%, eliminating as many as 5 lots or more, for a loss of ~ $175,000. . Developers find the meadow to be highly desirable real estate because building costs would be minimal (level, no trees), the land is near town and the lots would have forest views. In summary, I am requesting that the proposed Goal 5 riparian overlay not be applied to the section of the seasonal creek crossing the St. Clair property because: . The terrain surrounding the creek - homesite, septic system, and the two accesses across the creek to the meadow - was developed in 1950. There are no natural resources around it to conserve. . The waterway was developed with culverts, roadways, fortified banks, etc. at the same time. . The real estate value for the overlayed area would be reduced by as much as $220,000 or more, creating a significant Measure 37 claim. Please keep the record open so I may provided additional information, maps, etc., as needed. Sincerely, .)t.";';i /!Q..-~ Shirley St. Clair 5035 St. Clair Lane Eugene, Oil 97405 Attachments: Aerial Sketch & Photos