Item 1: Key Urban Services/Jurisdictional Authority

Home Browse Search

levels. These concerns accelerated in the 1950’s and 1960’s as growth continued outside city limits in Bethel, River Road, Santa Clara, North Springfield, Thurston, and Douglas Gardens. Problems of sprawl, leapfrog development, loss of farmland, rapid development during a period of economic recovery, construction of interstate freeways, unequal level of services, fragmentation of government, and unequal taxation were the fodder for our modern land use planning program. C. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION The late 1970’s and early 1980's was an era of unprecedented intergovernmental cooperation. The Transportation (T-2000) Plan was adopted, the Eugene/Springfield Metro Plan was adopted with the formation of the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) for policy direction and dispute resolution, and the Wastewater Plan was adopted - leading to formation of the MWMC, regionalization of wastewater treatment, and passage of a local bond to fund the local 25% share of the converted plant and major lines necessary to convey Springfield wastewater to the new regional plant. Following those early successes and the deep recession of the late 70's and early 80's, an intergovernmental review of urban service delivery was undertaken. The review was motivated by Commissioner Peter DeFazio. Commissioner John Ball chaired the study that led to intergovernmental agreements including the transfer of roads to cities upon annexation and development of county road fund sharing formulas, the transfer of county administration of planning and building permitting to cities, and the transfer of urban county parks to Eugene and Springfield (for Willamalane). D. CURRENT REALITIES The second Periodic Review of the Metro Plan is now complete, we are in the midst of a severe recession and the metropolitan area is dealing with the prospects of the region’s population doubling during the next 50 years. If the area doesn’t want to replicate what many view as mistakes in other highly developed areas, densities must increase, redevelopment must occur while livability is maintained and there must be an orderly and efficient provision for the necessary public services. Currently, intergovernmental cooperation is needed as hospitals expand and relocate to address the growing health needs of the region. Schools are consolidating, rebuilding and relocating to meet the changing demographics. Transportation facilities are being designed for the future transportation needs. Destination recreational facilities are being expanded while new ones are being planned. The Metro Plan partners struggle to find ways to finance the many increasing demands placed on government as the region grows. As cities grow, they inherit the fringe from the county - and a new fringe is formed - and with cars, the fringe influence expands further outward. The land division and settlement patterns 3