Item B: River Avenue Improvements

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River Avenue Stakeholders Minority Report Received 11/17/05 complete with a landscaped pedestrian refuge at the Post Office and flat curbed natural stormwater drainage systems on both sides of the roadway. Discontinue the fully improved project at the Post Office. Overlay the existing two lane street from this point east, and construct a separated pedestrianfbicycle path on the south side of the project continuing to the Santa Clara community under the Beltline. City engineering staff described their criteria for determining when a street can or should be improved instead of maintained with an overlay during the stakeholders meetings. River Avenue, by City engineering standards, falls into a grey zone where it is possible to maintain with an overlay, but generally recommended to improve for long term cost effectiveness. We believe that an exception to City engineering policy about overlays is justified in this case, given the uncertainties about future traffic patterns at the east end of the street. Under this plan no storm water improvements or tree replacement will be needed on the east end of the road until it is improved pending ODOT decisions. Plan B We strongly urge you to adopt Plan A. If you decide instead to improve the full length of River Avenue now we recommend discontinuing the third lane at the Post Office as the City engineering staff proposed in their original design. We then urge you to recognize that flat curb, natural stormwater drainage is not only possible, but the preferred option over the entire project to reduce costs to both property owners and the City of Eugene, while improving stormwater quality consistent with the City of Eugene stormwater quality goals. This unique roadway is home to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and is in close proximity to the Willamette River. This is an opportunity to showcase natural stormwater drainage for the larger community. Insist upon tree replacement for all road improvement projects. The majority report recommends allowing some property owners to opt out of replacement trees at their discretion. Street trees are for the welfare of the entire community. We believe it is unwise precedent to allow individuals to opt out of street tree replacement programs when streets become improved. We further recommend planting full canopied, native trees where appropriate in keeping with the heritage character of the River Road neighborhood. Respectfully submitted Thank you for considering this proposal. We are available for your questions, comments or to take you on a brief tour of the area at your convenience. Teresa Damron, Krista Rojas, Rob Handy River Avenue Stakeholder Representatives River Road Community Organization River Avenue Stakeholders Minority Report Page 3 of 3