Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

that what was left was the Amazon Creek and some other stream segments, some with connectivity with the Amazon and some without. She proclaimed that the time was past due to adopt protection measures for "the remnants of Eugene's natural resource inventory." She supported the adoption of the proposed policies. She averred that natural resources inside the boundaries of the city of Eugene had "been imperiled for decades." She asserted that Eugene had done little or nothing to protect wildlife habitat and other natural areas beyond preserving and restoring the West Eugene Wetlands. She submitted her testimony in writing along with amendments to the proposed ordinance she wished the council to consider. Elena Montenegro, 5150 Nectar Way, member of the East Fork Preservation Group, asked the council to help the group preserve the East Amazon headwaters. She felt the council still could work to preserve the natural resources which she averred were "truly valuable." She said the natural resources in the area did much to enhance the quality of life in this area. Elizabeth Twombly, 5015 Nectar Way, echoed comments already made regarding the headwaters forest. While she applauded efforts made by developers to preserve natural resources, she felt that some properties should just not be developed. She thought properties with high resource values should continue to be inventoried. She urged the council to review natural resources studies that were publicly funded and make decisions based on the information presented. She cited the Metro Waterways study, which had yet to be completed and focused in part on the Amazon Headwaters, and asked how responsible decisions could be made at this point. She related that she looked at a United States Geological Survey landslide hazard map and it indicated that a "huge fault" ran beneath the south hills. She maintained that it was not good land to build on. Kathleen Leonard, 5020 Nectar Way, remarked that the sign in the back of the City Council Chamber said "The people are the City." She asserted that "the people" did not want development in the East Amazon headwaters area. She said only the property owner would benefit from this. She felt that the forest, with its rare plants, animals, wetlands, stream corridors, and headwaters to the Amazon Creek, would be "destroyed" by the proposed development. She recommended that the City take the time to complete the studies and not just "plow ahead" to make a profit. Carol Pearce, 5005 Nectar Way, stated that her property bordered the East Fork Amazon headwaters area. She thanked Councilor Taylor for proposing the moratorium. She regretted that the public was unable to speak before the motion had been made. She did not understand why an area that was so highly ranked for its unspoiled beauty and pristine qualities was not a priority. She questioned why the studies were done and the results were being disregarded. She supported the use of eminent domain to keep the forest in its pristine condition. She felt it was reasonable to protect the steep wetland area to minimize erosion and flooding, especially given the ramifications of the recent hurricane in the Gulf Coast area. She averred that stormwater runoff would increase due to development. Eric Kelly, 4890 Gamet Street, spoke about the East Amazon headwaters. He related that he had grown up in Portland. He said some of the civic leaders in Portland had the foresight to set aside areas like Forest Park, the largest city park in the country, Mount Tabor, and Washington Park and these parks were regarded as gems in the city that attracted residents and tourists. He observed that there was development all around those parks today and the rural areas around Portland had all become developed, areas such as Gresham and Hillsboro, and there were no notable parks. He averred that if parks were not set aside in the cities, the outlying areas such as Coburg and Creswell would develop and there would be no parks. He wanted irreplaceable parcels to be set aside. MINUTES-Eugene City Council Regular Session September 26, 2005 Page 12