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<br />Kevin Matthews <br />, president of Friends of Eugene, stated that the project was included in TransPlan just <br />prior to the formal designation of critical habitat by relevant federal agencies. He said the relationship of <br />critical habitat to the project was subsequently missed because the environmental screening maps only <br />showed critical habitat for salmon-related issues. He said the project should not move forward and would <br />not be built. He said advancing the priority of the project would allow development projects to use it as a <br />planned transportation facility and it should not be placed on the fiscally constrained list until the environ- <br />mental work was completed. He briefly reviewed his written testimony, which listed six categories of <br />reasons the project should not advance. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy closed the hearing and called for comments from councilors. <br /> <br />Councilor Brown asked if the council could vote separately on the two projects included in the amendment. <br />City Attorney Emily Jerome said staff would prepare separate motions. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka asked that staff provide maps of the terrain showing critical habitat and environmental <br />work that remained to be done when the amendment came before the council for action. He also asked for <br />information on how the projects would reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy asked staff to also provide information on discussions that had taken place with BLM and <br />whether the amendment was based on a policy direction that had shifted over time. She questioned whether <br />the amendment was being proposed prematurely. <br /> <br />2. PUBLIC HEARING <br /> <br />An Ordinance Concerning Time Extensions for Approved Developments; and Providing an Ef- <br /> <br />fective Date <br /> <br /> <br />Mr. Ruiz explained that the ordinance would provide a one-time automatic three-year time extension for <br />approved land use applications that had not yet expired. As a part of the City’s economic stimulus efforts <br />the proposal would allow projects that had already undergone an extensive public process, and received City <br />approval, more time to be completed. He said council action on the item was scheduled for November 9. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing and reviewed the procedures for providing testimony. <br /> <br />Jared Mason-Gere, <br />Willamette Street, Eugene, representing the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, <br />stated that the building industry was facing difficult financial times because of the economic downturn and a <br />shortage of lenders, tenants and buyers. He said implementing the ordinance would not cost the City and <br />would benefit a large number of people in the community. He said adoption of the ordinance would send a <br />positive, business-friendly message to the community and those who were struggling financially. <br /> <br />Phil Farrington, <br />Monroe Street, Eugene, representing the Lane County Home Builders Association, <br />expressed support for the ordinance. He said the planning process was rigorous and local economic <br />conditions needed to be given consideration by allowing developers who had completed that process, and <br />secured approval, additional time to finish their projects. He said other communities had enacted similar <br />ordinances to help provide support during difficult financial periods and rejecting the proposal would cause <br />hardship. He urged the council to approve the ordinance as nothing was better than the gift of time. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy closed the hearing and called for comments from councilors. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 19, 2009 Page 2 <br /> Public Hearing <br /> <br />