Item B: Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan

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ATTACHMENTB PUblic '[e~tlmony Deborah P. Jeffries Page 1 Eugene Planning Commission Public Hearing Eugene Parks, Recreation & Open Space Comprehensive Plan October 11, 2005 Parks, recreation and open space do make a positive contribution to the overall quality of life of our community, inCluding the economy. RiverRidge Golf Complex, a 160 acre public golf facility started in 1988, was designed, built and is still operated by my husband Ric and 1. Open space and recreation of that space is our business. The property is in the Urban Transition area of the UGB (approx 130 acres) and outside the UGB (approx. 33 acres). All is within the Metro Planning Area. An intergovernmental agreement in the late 1980's gave the administration ofland use matters to the City of Eugene for all property within the UGB, including those properties that were not yet annexed into the City. Lane County remains the local government authority for all the property whether in the UGB or outside. The golf course property included in the City's PROS plan is outside the UGB, thus not in the City's administration or legal jurisdiction. My objections fall into two general areas: The Planning Area and The PROS Plan Content. The Planninl! Area 1. PROS Planning Boundary includes property outside the City of Eugene legal planning boundary. The City of Eugene is responsible for land use planning, permitting and administration of property inside the Urban Growth Boundary (DGB). This includes property in the Urban Transition area (outside the City of Eugene but inside the UGB). The City of Eugene PROS planning boundary extends past the Metropolitan Planning Boundary. Ouestions: Who directed and authorized Parks' Staff to create this planning area, an area that is clearly outside their jurisdictional boundaries? How can the City Planning Commission review Irecommend and the City Council approve a planning document that includes area not in their jurisdiction'? Staff offers the following disclaimer (Chapter 1, page 2) The parks, recreation, and open space planning area for the Eugene PROS Comprehensive Plan extends beyond the City limits to include all areas within the urban growth boundary (UGB), including unincorporated areas. In addition, several recommendations for future park and open space areas involve land beyond the UGB. This plan is not intended to have any regulatory effect for land located outside City limits. Of interest is that Staff changed this paragraph from the one presented to the County Commissioners a couple weeks ago. It read (omitted portion in current version underlined):