Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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patronize downtown businesses. He said that the City’s approach to density needed to consider existing assets and preserve owner-occupied housing in the downtown area. He believed the special area zone was a model that should be adopted and applied to other neighborhoods. Rob Handy , 455-½ River Road, spoke in favor of the proposed development standards as key to preserving the neighborhood’s character. He urged the council’s support of the amendments. Carlis Nixon , 1556 Wilson Court, said that the matter before the council was not just a concern for those who lived in the area. She supported the special area zone and urged the council to do so as well. She said the area in question had many charming structures of historic interest. The neighborhood was important to maintaining the livability of the downtown area. She thought the residents of the area had done an excellent job. She believed the development standards would help maintain the quality of the area. Jozef Siekiel-Zolzienicki , 1025 Taylor Street, a member of CAFHN, said the council may be worried about lower density standards but an examination of the report would indicate a willingness to accept a higher degree of density at certain locations, if well-planned. The organization supported a viable commercial area th on West 11 Avenue between Chambers and Garfield streets so that neighbors could take advantage of commercial uses on that street. He requested the council’s support of the proposed amendments. Kevin Matthews , 1192 Lawrence Street, President of the Friends of Eugene, did not perceive any controversy in the matter before the council. The residents of the area had done an excellent job. Mr. Matthews identified several issues. He believed the neighborhood was currently zoned at what he termed excessively high densities, suggesting that had occurred because it was perceived as blighted and planners did not take into account the character of the neighborhood and potential of revitalization. He thought the Chambers node should have been “dead on arrival” as the area’s traffic patterns argued against it. He said the nodal development effort was “off track.” Mr. Matthews said the problem of inappropriate infill was not limited to the neighborhood in question. The code encouraged density without offering anything to mitigate the problems that arose. He appreciated that the council intended to consider that issue. Zachary Vishanoff , a resident of Patterson Street, averred that mixed-use development was being used to subvert neighborhoods. Not every neighborhood had an organization such as CAFHN to work with the City. He said that the City staff needed to be slowed down and the City should not allow mixed-use development to get ahead of the proposed basketball arena. He said that residents should be allowed to discuss what mixed-use development meant to them. There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Piercy closed the public hearing. Councilor Taylor spoke of her admiration for the work of CAFHN and said she looked forward to approving the plan. She thought it an example of excellent citizen involvement leading to a good outcome. Councilor Papé agreed with Councilor Taylor and complimented the residents of the neighborhood for their hard work, persistence, and diplomacy. He particularly recognized the work of resident Paul Conte of CAFHN. Councilor Solomon said she had also enjoyed the products put together by the organization. She expressed appreciation to CAFHN for working with staff and to staff for its work with the organization. She determined from Mr. Lowe that all area residents and property owners received notice of the public hearing. Councilor Kelly also thanked the residents for their testimony and hard work. He called attention to the designs guideline document and commended the work, adding he wished the council was considering design MINUTES—Eugene City Council November 14, 2005 Page 7 Regular Meeting