CC Minutes - 04/27/09 Work Session

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Mr. Zako remarked that the WEC envisioned phasing in a multiway boulevard over several years and was concerned about the impact on existing property owners and the ability to acquire right-of-way naturally as properties changed owners. Mr. Reed added that the WEC’s intent was to address traffic and felt its recommendations would achieve that. He said a multiway boulevard was no less expensive than the West Eugene Parkway (WEP), but the WEP was a narrow, single-purpose transportation solution while the multiway boulevard incorporated all of the other elements that needed to be addressed, such as the environment, social justice and land use. Mr. Zelenka commended the WEC for its work and ability to reach consensus. He liked the direction of WEC recommendations and the inclusiveness of the process. He pointed out that Franklin Boulevard provided an example of a multiway boulevard in the vicinity of Walnut Station. Mr. Zelenka, seconded by Mr. Clark, moved to accept the West Eugene Collabora- tive’s report and ask the City Manager to plan a work session or work sessions to discuss and plan for the potential implementation of the West Eugene Collabora- tive’s recommendations. Mr. Pryor stated that the WEC had consciously avoided taking the place of jurisdictions and agencies that were charged with the responsibility for developing final detailed plans. He said an important outcome of the WEC process was to develop guidelines that provided a good chance of success. He said short, medium and long-term recommendations offered opportunities to move forward with some immediate actions while developing long-range plans. The concept of a multiway boulevard gained acceptance from WEC members because it could be accomplished in the long-term and address the problems in West Eugene. He noted that the WEC process had been observed statewide and the model had gained the interest of the Oregon Department of Transportation. Ms. Solomon expressed an interest in immediate measures that could be taken to improve traffic flow on th West 11 Avenue. She noted that the WEC report had discussed inner and outer alternative routes and th asked how they would be improved to take traffic off West 11 Avenue. Mr. Reed said better signage would help direct drivers to alternate routes for avoiding congestion. He said improvements could also include signal timing, additional turn lanes and widened intersections. Rob Inerfeld, Public Works th Department, added that the City’s West 11 Avenue study would explore options for the main corridor and th inner and outer alternative routes enhancements were also being considered, including a roundabout at 5 Avenue and Seneca Street. Mr. Poling thanked the WEC for considering transportation issues between Veneta and Eugene and beyond. He echoed Mr. Clark’s concerns about a multiway boulevard and the cost of right-of-way acquisitions. He hoped that issues related to local access lanes would also be discussed in a work session. He referred to the WEC’s recommendation regarding rezoning of industrial land and noted there was also land zoned residential that would never be developed. He asked if the rezoning would occur before the City’s land supply study was completed or deducted from the inventory at a later date. He said dedicated transit lanes were difficult because of the City’s current building code and setback requirements that placed buildings th close to the street; that should be a concern with any redevelopment on West 11 Avenue. He questioned whether any changes to the building code to address the problem would apply only to West Eugene or be imposed citywide. MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 27, 2009 Page 5 Work Session