Item A: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project

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can bring. Development may exacerbate the feelings of an erosion of livability and community heritage that perhaps has come with prior annexations. In fact, even infrastructure improvements such as urban level road upgrades may be perceived as reducing livability. In reviewing the September 2002 report of the Urban Services Committee, this latter form of reaction, perhaps engendered by perceived poor experiences with prior annexations in these neighborhoods, and while not ubiquitous or universally held, appears to hold sway with many residents and stakeholders in River Road and Santa Clara. Many participants in the Urban Services Committee’s work, who otherwise evidenced some support for the City, recognized that prior annexations may not have necessarily been expedited most effectively or carefully. Balancing this, most residents who participated appear to understand that ultimately River Road and Santa Clara will fully urbanize and become part of the City of Eugene through annexation. The critical issues are how this occurs and within what time frame. As the City of Eugene, other service providers, and the community contemplate the future incorporation of the remaining territory within River Road and Santa Clara into the City, an urban transition and heritage strategy that can be generally supported by, and that addresses the needs of, the River Road and Santa Clara communities is an important initiative. A suite of options and potential actions that address the concerns of area residents, businesses and landowners with respect to their sense of community heritage, preservation of local institutions, loss of control and governance, and retention of some of the “look and feel” of the present day neighborhoods, is appropriate in assuring that when and if these communities join the City that they do so with the least dislocation and discontent possible. This White Paper outlines such options and actions that might for the basis of neighborhood plans and strategies. 2 River Road/Santa Clara Transition/Heritage White Paper DRAFT 11-24-05 Service provider Review