Ordinance No. 19749 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. The proposed Downtown Design emphasizes pedestrian pathways, sidewalks and areas in proximity to the central plaza and the downtown retail area and in conjunction with bicycle paths and the existing transit station. 1t implements Policy 2g. S. Policy 4 is generally satisfied and has been considered in conjunction with other policy objectives. As noted earlier, the retention of an auto-free urban area along the West Broadway access of the mall is part of the proposed Downtown Design. The convertible nature of Willamette Street and East Broadway allows their use as "auto•free" areas. The City Council interprets Transportation Element Policy 4 of the Metro Plan to not mandate the maintenance of existing auto-free urban areas, but rather to encourage their development where appropriate. The Council finds that the negative effects of the current pedestrian mall outweigh any advantage to the community by the retention of all portions of the downtown mall as an "auto-free urban area." The development of such areas will be encouraged in other parts of the City of Eugene. 9. Under Policy 5, the proposed Downtown Design reflects cons~derat~on of improvements which would accommodate urban public transit and other alternative modes. These considerations are discussed in Finding D2 below. The proposed 12 to 14 foot traffic lanes on Olive will provide a signed bicycle routing within the lanes between 13th and 5th Avenues. The design allows for bicycle use of reopened portions of Willamette Street and East Broadway, where bicyclists currently must walk their bicycles. The precise means of accommodating urban public transit will be considered during implementation of the Downtown Design. The proposed Downtown Design, however, precludes large bus traffic on Willamette and East Broadway because of a desire to minimize the negative impacts of motor vehicle access on areas adjacent to these streets. C.f., Qbjective 1 of this element. C. Citizen Involvement Element Qbjectives and Policies. The following objectives and policy are relevant to the decision in question: "Qbject~, ive 1. Promote and strengthen communication and coordination among various citizens' organizations; business, industrial, and other groups in the community; and between these groups and government." "Qh'ective 2. Ensure adequate opportunities and provide adequate support for citizen involvement in metropolitan planning and related issues." "Policy 2. Maintain and adequately fund a variety of programs and procedures far encouraging and providing opportunities for citizen involvement in metropolitan area planning issues ... " ~. There has been ample opportunity for citizen involvement in the development of the Downtown Design, The Downtown Design reflects the deliberation of the Retail Task Force appointed in August, 1989, the May, 1990 telephone survey of 400 Eugene residents, the voter opinion survey of June, 1990, the Downtown Design Committee deliberations including four workshops, a Eugene Celebration open house, two public forums, and a questionnaire published in the Register-Guard}, the response to the final design questionnaire published in the Register- Guard, and the recommendations of the Planning Commission and Downtown Commission. Exhibit B -Page 6