Item 3A - Minutes Approval - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Bettman, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to extend the time for the Public Forum by ten minutes to accommodate five more speakers. Roll call vote; the motion passed 5:1 (Councilor Poling inadvertently voted no and later withdrew his ~no" vote). Steve West, 3025 Friendly Street, called the designation of Friendly Street, Storey Boulevard, and Crest Drive a %ad idea." He asserted it was not fair to ask neighborhood residents to give up their amenities in order to aid others in arriving quickly to the downtown area nor was it fair to ask residents to pay for road upgrades. He invited the councilors to walk with him from Friendly Street and Lorane Highway to the downtown area and see the difference between a neighborhood street, a neighborhood collector, and a highway. He suggested councilors also stand at the comer of 7th Avenue and Willamette Street and note the number of cars that traverse 7th Avenue with only one person in them. He agreed traffic was a problem but asserted there were ways of addressing it other than changing the designation of his neighborhood streets. Clyde R. Nielson, 3441 Storey Boulevard, noted that his testimony would repeat some of the previous testimony regarding the street reclassification. He thought that if all of the neighbors could speak with one voice, they would all oppose the change in street designation. He asserted that public officials were elected to represent the public and were not fulfilling their charge in this case. He averred the change threatened the tranquility of the neighborhood and would make living there more stressful, as well as negatively impacting the riparian zones and compromising the sylvan environment. He commented that Storey Boulevard ~was blessed" with two ~un-straightenable" curves which enhanced the beauty there but imposed the necessity of cautious driving. He suggested that Storey Boulevard should become a one-way street going uphill from the lower Crest Drive cut-off and its upper section. Martin Brown, 3446 Storey Boulevard, added his voice to the opposition of the aforementioned street reclassification. He asserted this action would destroy a vibrant and unique neighborhood and would not comply with Goal 5 standards. He felt it would exacerbate driving conditions, which were already hazardous. He questioned the wisdom of implementing a conventional street plan in an area that was recognized by the City as being so unique. He said it called into question the City's ability to meet the principles of the practical use of context-sensitive design. He alleged there already was much traffic cutting through the area. Elizabeth Lorish, 897 West 36th Avenue, conveyed her concern regarding the reclassification if neighbor- hood streets into collectors. She stressed that opposition to this was unanimous and there were signs in every yard that expressed this opposition. While she recognized the need to repave the road, she thought widening it and straightening the curves would be ~ludicrous." She related that the neighborhood liked the curves and country ambience. She noted over 100 citizens had come to a public hearing on this item on November 4, 2003, and all were opposed to the change. She reiterated neighborhood concerns that environmental degradation would occur and property values would fall. Wendy Dudelheim, 3385 Storey Boulevard, asked the councilors to protect the antiquity of nature's design surrounding Storey Boulevard, Crest Drive, and Friendly Street. She said she moved to Storey Boulevard because it provided privacy and peace. She remarked that it was the reason she lived in Eugene. Councilor Bettman thanked those who testified, adding that it was wonderful to see so many people bringing their input to the council. She related she had been advised that speaking on Friendly Street could be a perceived conflict of interest, as she lived on the north end of Friendly Street and the proposed change MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 12, 2004 Page 8 Regular Meeting