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Ms. Noble, speaking with regard to the urban renewal plan amendment proposal, demonstrated several <br />examples of potential projects. She further noted that the spending cap in the urban renewal plan would <br />need to be expanded to provide the capacity to support those projects. <br />Ms. Noble demonstrated a draft timeline regard the urban renewal plan amendment proposal for the benefit <br />of the Council. <br />Ms. Noble noted the City Manager's recommendation for the benefit of the Council. <br />Ms. Noble and Planning & Development Senior Management Analyst Denny Braud, responding to a <br />question from Ms. Taylor, noted that the City's surplus property at 901 Franklin Avenue had been acquired <br />by the City after it had been condemned and the original owner had missed their opportunity to repurchase <br />it. Mr. Braud further commented that the property had been condemned several years ago as part of the <br />right of way of the western entrance to the Riverfront Research Park. <br />Ms. Taylor felt that the original owner of the 901 Franklin Avenue should have the "first shot" at <br />developing it. <br />Ms. Muir, responding to a question from Ms. Taylor, noted that the public involvement plan surrounding <br />the limited land use code amendments proposal would be reviewed by the City's planning commission in <br />order to ensure that the public was sufficiently informed through the use of open houses, electronic media <br />communications and various stakeholder group meetings. Ms. Muir further confirmed that the Council <br />would make the final decision regarding the proposal. <br />Ms. Muir, responding to a question from Ms. Taylor, noted that the University of Oregon was in the <br />process of conducting a study regarding the downtown property that was at one time being developed by <br />Opus NW and that the University's study would be completed within the next 60 days. <br />Ms. Laurence, responding to a question from Ms. Taylor regarding the Park Blocks Master Plan included <br />under the urban renewal plan amendment proposal, noted that the City had been working for several years <br />with the Saturday Market and the Farmers Market to ensure that their needs were sufficiently met. She <br />further noted that the Parks Blocks Master Plan's purpose was to ensure that both markets would have the <br />opportunity to continue and thrive. <br />Ms. Muir, responding to a comment from Ms. Taylor, suggested that the projects listed under the urban <br />renewal plan amendment proposal might be feasible without the debt limit increase under the proposal but <br />that the amendment was designed a tool to help facilitate those projects. <br />Ms. Taylor expressed that she would not vote to increase the debt limit as described in the urban renewal <br />plan amendment proposal. <br />Assistant City Manager Sarah Medary, responding to a question from Mr. Clark, commented that <br />discussions surrounding the disposition of surplus property funds would happen concurrently with future <br />work sessions regarding the matter. <br />Ms. Medary, responding to a request for clarification from Mr. Clark, noted that the staff recommendations <br />outlined in the next steps for the surplus property proposal would include a review of most if not all of the <br />surplus property currently owned by the City. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 27, 2009 Page 2 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />