Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Councilor Zelenka also thought it was a nice development. He believed they should provide incentives for developers to build to LEED standards, but he did not think the MUPTE was the right mechanism. He agreed with the sentiment expressed that such housing would be built without the subsidy. He could not justify the MUPTE in the face of the budget deficit and intended to oppose the motion. Councilor Brown observed that the project had met two requirements, in that the proposal was over the 100 point threshold for community benefit and the neighborhood supported it. He also felt the project was better because of the commercial on the ground floor. He supported having another work session on the MUPTE zone near the University in the future. He commented that it was hard to come from a Budget Committee meeting the previous week and “just give away $75,000.” He said he would support the MUPTE. Councilor Solomon reminded her colleagues that the exemption was for ten years, but only applied to the improvements. The owner still paid taxes on the property in the interim. She strongly felt that the MUPTE projects that they had approved were of a better and stronger quality than the projects that had been built without the MUPTE exemptions. Mayor Piercy indicated her willingness to discuss the MUPTE boundaries again, but for the present the area was currently designated for MUPTE projects and the project met all qualifications. She agreed that something would be built on the property no matter what, but she would prefer to have it built to LEED standards. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 6:2; councilors Zelenka and Taylor voting in opposition. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jon Ruiz City Manager (Recorded by Ruth Atcherson) MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 8, 2010 Page 5 Regular Meeting