Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor Solomon, moved that the City Council adopt Council Bill 4912, an ordinance establishing a Chambers Special Area Zone. Councilor Kelly moved to amend proposed Eugene Code Section 9.3065(3)(a) to delete the following words from the first sentence of paragraph (a): “there is no minimum density requirement regardless of lot size, and…” The motion died for lack of a second. Councilor Kelly thought that rowhouse and condominium development could be compatible for the neighborhood. He noted that staff indicated that this change in language would necessitate development of additional design standards. Because of this, he provided an amendment to the motion in this regard and a separate motion to give staff direction to develop those standards. Councilor Kelly, seconded by Councilor Papé, moved to amend proposed Eugene Code Section 9.3065(3)(h) by deleting part 7 from paragraph (h). Councilor Solomon asked if it would be necessary to pass the amendment for the stand-alone motion to be made. Councilor Kelly replied that it would be pointless to direct staff to develop additional design standards without approval of the amendment. Councilor Solomon acknowledged the work and dedication of the Chambers Area Families for Healthy Neighborhoods (CAFHN) and said she could not support the amendment on the face of it. She could, however, support the directive to staff should it be so moved. Councilor Papé asked Councilor Kelly what the City would have with the passage of this amendment. Councilor Kelly replied that lot aggregation and lot adjustments would then be the same in this area as in other areas of the City. In response to a follow-up question from Councilor Papé, Senior Planner Allen Lowe stated that the language had been placed in this ordinance to ensure that any new development, redevelopment, and infill occurring in the neighborhood would be consistent with the driving feature of the neighborhood - the establishment and continuance of single-family detached dwellings. He underscored that this was the description of the character of the neighborhood. He said removal of the lot aggregation clause would permit acquisition and combination of a series of lots for the purpose of erecting rowhouse developments which, in the opinions of CAFHN members and staff, would be inconsistent with the existing character of the 12-block area. Councilor Taylor opposed the amendment. She said it would negate the whole effect of the plan to preserve the character of the neighborhood. Roll call vote; the motion failed, 5:1; Councilor Kelly voting in favor. Councilor Poling commended the work of the CAFHN group and staff on this issue. He particularly appreciated that the approach of the CAFHN group had been very professional, characterizing it as “low- key in one way, but high pressure in another.” He cited it as an example of what could be done when people worked as a neighborhood or a community toward a common goal. He commented that he could not praise the work done on the project enough. MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 12, 2005 Page 14 Regular Session